LLLI
Center for Breastfeeding Information
Journal Abstract of the Month for June 2002
"The association between
duration of breastfeeding and adult intelligence." E. L. Mortensen
et al. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002-5-8;287(18):2365-71
This paper examined two Danish
populations independently: The Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort and those
who participated in the Danish Military Draft Board IQ test during a
specific time frame The outcome shows a robust association between the
duration of breastfeeding, up to nine months, and adult intelligence,
in two non overlapping samples, assessed with two different measures
of intelligence. Three explanations are provided for the positive association
between breastfeeding and cognitive development:
1. Differences between human
milk and infant formula or other complementary goods (breast milk may
contain nutrients that stimulate brain development).
2. Physical and psychological contact between mother and child
3. Unidentified factors correlating with infant feeding methods and
development of intellectual ability.
This is the first study that
has measured the effects of breastfeeding into the subjects' late teens
and twenties. The results indicate that breastfeeding may have a long-term
positive effect on cognitive and intellectual development. One of the
authors, June Machover Reinisch, stated, "The evidence is growing
that breast-feeding is among the most important lifelong benefits a
mother can give to her child."
The Center for Breastfeeding
has categorized this article with the following keywords:
Duration, IQ, Exclusive
Breastfeeding, Extended Breastfeeding, HM-Nutritive Value, DHA, LCPufa
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:34:27 UTC 2007.
