[Intellectual development in the second year of life in healthy breast-fed children compared with formula-fed children].
BACKGROUND
The role of breast milk with regard to W3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and infant intellectual development remains controversial.


METHODS
Thirty-nine children born at term and from homogeneous sociocultural status were enrolled in a blind-prospective trial. Children were divided in two non-randomized groups: a breast-fed group and a standard formula-fed group. Red blood cell phospholipid fatty acids were analyzed at 7 and 60 days of life. Cognitive development was evaluated at the end of the second year of life through Bailey s test.


RESULTS
Concentrations of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid were significantly lower in the formula-fed group. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in cognitive function. Brain development index was significantly correlated with infant head circumference and educational status of the mother.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal nutrition provides higher red blood cell docosahexaenoic acid, but is not related to a higher developmental quotient at the age of 2 years. However, infant head circumference and maternal educational status were correlated with developmental cognition.
Santiago Burruchaga
M
M
Equipo de Atención Primaria Miraballes-Ugao.
Ruiz Sanz
J I
JI
Pijoan Zubizarreta
J I
JI
Benito Fernández
J
J
Sanjurjo Crespo
P
P
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies