title: Does breastfeeding in the neonatal period influence the cognitive function of very-low-birth-weight infants at 5 years of age?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast milk is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is selectively concentrated in neuronal membranes and is thought to be necessary for optimal neurodevelopment. This study evaluated the relationship between breastfeeding, especially the resultant DHA level in the red blood cell (RBC) membranes of infants, and the cognitive function of very-low-birth-weight infants at 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients were classified into groups that were breastfed or formula-fed or both. We measured the DHA concentration in the RBC membranes of 18 preterm infants at 4 weeks of age. To evaluate cognitive function at the age of 5 years, we asked the children to perform five tests: the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Day-Night Test, Kansas Reflection Impulsivity Scale for Preschoolers (KRISP), Motor Planning Test, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DHA level at 4 weeks after birth was significantly higher in the breastfed infants than in the formula-fed infants. The scores for the Day-Night Test, KRISP, and Motor Planning Test were significantly higher in the breastfed group. There were significant correlations between the scores for the Day-Night Test and for the KRISP and the level of DHA at 4 weeks of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breastfeeding in the neonatal periods increases the DHA level in preterm infants and may have an important influence on brain development not only during early infancy but also during the preschool years, especially in terms of cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. ktanaka@med.juntendo.ac.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kon
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohkawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids