LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for May 2001

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001;84:F23-F27.

Title: "Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at 7-8 years"

Author: by L. J. Horwood, B. A. Darlow, N. Mogridge

The goal of this research was to explore the relation between the receipt of human milk and cognitive performance in a cohort of very low birthweight infants assessed at 7-8 years of age in New Zealand.

Maternal recall and the Child Health Record Book were used to confirm the provision of breast milk, and for the duration of breast feeding in this population of premature infants. 73% of the mothers chose to provide breast milk to their infants, of which 37% breastfed for four months or longer. After controlling for confounding factors, there remained a significant association between duration of receipt of breast milk and verbal IQ. There was some evidence for a dose-response in that infants who received a higher proportion of their intake during the hospital period as mother's milk had higher IQ scores. It is certainly plausible that breast milk exposure may enhance brain development and learning ability.

Keywords: I .Q., Advantages, Prematures, Breastfeeding Duration, Long-term Advantages, Speech, New Zealand.