title: Exclusive breastfeeding of healthy term infants for at least 6 weeks improves neurological condition.
abstract: To investigate the minimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding for optimal neurological outcome, we assessed the quality of general movements (GM) at 3 mo of 147 breastfed healthy term infants that were followed from birth. The quality of GM is a sensitive marker of neurological condition. The quality of GM was classified as normal-optimal, normal-suboptimal, mildly abnormal and definitely abnormal. Information on social and pre- and perinatal conditions and the duration of breastfeeding was collected prospectively. Logistical regression analyses were used to adjust for confounders. There was a positive association between breastfeeding duration and movement quality, with a saturation effect at the age of approximately 6 wk. In the group of infants breastfed for < or = 6 wk (n = 55), 18% exhibited normal-optimal GM, 47% normal-suboptimal GM, and 47% mildly abnormal GM. In contrast, in the group of infants breastfed for > 6 wk (n = 92), 43% exhibited normal-optimal GM, 45% normal-suboptimal GM, and 12% mildly abnormal GM. Exclusive breastfeeding for >6 wk was therefore associated with markedly less abnormal and more normal-optimal GM. Thus, we conclude that breastfeeding for > 6 wk might improve the neurological condition in infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Perinatal Nutrition and Development Unit, University Hospital, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouwstra
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Boersma
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boehm
authors.forename: D A J
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dijck-Brouwer
authors.forename: F A J
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Muskiet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadders-Algra
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors