FADS2 polymorphisms modify the effect of breastfeeding on child IQ.
BACKGROUND
Breastfeeding is important for child cognitive development. A study by Caspi et al has suggested that rs174575 within the FADS2 gene moderates this effect so that children homozygous in the minor allele (GG genotype) have similar IQs irrespective of feeding method.


RESULTS
In our study of 5934 children aged 8 years, no genetic main effect with IQ was found for rs174575. However, an interaction with this polymorphism was observed such that breastfed GG children performed better than their formula fed counterparts by an additional 5.8 points [1.4, 10.1] (interaction p = 0.0091). Interaction results were attenuated by about 10% after adjustment for 7 factors. This study also investigated rs1535, another FADS2 polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with rs174575, together with performance and verbal IQ, finding similar results although effect sizes were generally reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
This study did not replicate the findings of Caspi et al. In contrast to their study, GG children exhibited the greatest difference between feeding methods such that breastfed children performed similarly irrespective of child genotype whereas formula fed GG children performed worse than other children on formula milk. Further studies are required to replicate these findings.
Steer
Colin D
CD
Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Community Based Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Colin.Steer@bristol.ac.uk
Davey Smith
George
G
Emmett
Pauline M
PM
Hibbeln
Joseph R
JR
Golding
Jean
J
D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C533241:FADS2 protein, human