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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
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Association between the Infant and Child Feeding Index at 8 months and early childhood neurodevelopment

Xiuxiu Li1, Jianan Zhang2, Xiaowei Dai1

  • 1Nanshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.

Frontiers in Nutrition
|January 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Healthy infant feeding practices, measured by the Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI), are linked to better neurodevelopment. Qualified ICFI scores at 8 months were associated with reduced developmental delays in communication, problem-solving, and personal-social domains up to age two.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Infant feeding practices significantly influence early childhood development.
  • The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) is a validated tool to assess feeding quality.
  • Early neurodevelopmental delays can have long-term consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between infant feeding practices (ICFI) at 8 months and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • To determine if higher ICFI scores correlate with reduced risk of developmental delays.
  • To investigate specific domains of neurodevelopment affected by feeding practices.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study (Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study) with 705 participants.
  • Infant feeding practices assessed at 8 months using a validated dietary recall method and ICFI.
  • Neurodevelopment evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at multiple time points (8, 12, 18, 24 months).

Main Results:

  • 48.5% of infants achieved qualified ICFI scores at 8 months.
  • Prevalence of developmental delay ranged from 1.0% to 16.8% across ASQ-3 domains.
  • Qualified ICFI group showed significantly lower odds of delay in communication (OR=0.51), problem-solving (OR=0.55), and personal-social (OR=0.54) domains.

Conclusions:

  • Higher ICFI scores, indicating healthier feeding, are associated with reduced neurodevelopmental delays up to age two.
  • Promoting targeted feeding guidelines is crucial for supporting optimal early childhood development.
  • Findings highlight the critical role of nutrition in early brain development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Food Frequency QuestionnaireICFIbirth cohortfeeding practiceneurodevelopment

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