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Nutritional Neurosciences
Research Communication

Exclusive Breastfeeding of Healthy Term Infants for at Least 6 Weeks Improves Neurological Condition¹

H. Bouwstra, E. R. Boersma^*, G. Boehm, D.A.J. Dijck-Brouwer^**, F.A.J. Muskiet^** and M. Hadders-Algra²

Department of Neurology, ^* Perinatal Nutrition and Development Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and ^** Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands and Numico Research Germany, Friedrichsdorf, Germany

² To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: m.hadders-algra{at}med.rug.nl.

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 6 wk. In the group of infants breastfed for 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.

KEY WORDS: • breastfeeding • general movements • development • term infant

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