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The effect of breastfeeding on child development at 5 years: A cohort study
Author(s) -
Quinn PJ,
O'Callaghan M,
Williams GM,
Najman JM,
Andersen MJ,
Bor W
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2001.00702.x
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , peabody picture vocabulary test , psychosocial , confounding , child development , demography , cohort , pediatrics , cohort study , millennium cohort study (united states) , breast feeding , cognition , developmental psychology , psychology , psychiatry , sociology
Objective : It is uncertain to what degree the relationship between breastfeeding and later cognitive development is a true biological effect, or is confounded by psychosocial factors. The study aim was to further investigate this relationship and the effect of duration of breast feeding on cognitive development. Methods : A total of 3880 children were followed from birth. Breastfeeding duration was measured by questionaire at 6 months of age and a Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Revised (PPVT‐R) was administered at 5 years. PPVT‐R scores were adjusted for the effects of a large array of biological and psychosocial confounders. The relationship between breastfeeding and the mean PPVT‐R scores were examined using analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. Results : A strong positive relationship was demonstrated between breastfeeding and the PPVT‐R scores with increasing scores with increased duration of breastfeeding. After adjusting for a wide range of biological and social factors, the adjusted mean for those breastfed for 6 months or more was 8.2 points higher for females and 5.8 points for males when compared to those never breastfed. Conclusion : These findings suggest a significant benefit to child development is conferred by breastfeeding and is related independently to longer periods of breastfeeding.