A new study has found that children who are breastfed are less likely to develop neurological conditions, including autism. Researchers from Israel studied 570,000 infants, approximately half of whom were breastfed for at least six months.
They discovered that exclusively breastfed babies were 28% less likely to be diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) such as autism, ADHD, and cerebral palsy. Breastfed infants were ALSO 18% less likely to experience delays in language and social milestones compared to those breastfed for less than six months.
Babies who were partially breastfed, more than likely supplemented with formula, were 14% less likely to experience developmental delays. This reduced risk was also observed among siblings, who likely share similar genetic predispositions if they have the same parents. Those who were breastfed for at least six months had a 9% lesser likelihood of having delays in reaching developmental milestones.
Infants were also 27% less likely to be diagnosed with NDCs compared to their siblings who were breastfed for less than six months or not at all.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life, followed by a combination of breastfeeding and the introduction of healthy foods for up to two years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that breastfeeding is essential for public health, which aligns with World Health Organization recommendations. Studies show that breastfeeding benefits both infants and mothers by strengthening the immune system.
For infants, it reduces the risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), obesity, diabetes, and more. For mothers, it lowers the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and various cancers.
While research on the link between breastfeeding and neurological development is limited, existing studies suggest a positive connection.
The new study published in JAMA found a stronger positive correlation, but the researchers did not explain the association.
And, being that the study was observational, it cannot prove that breastfeeding will prevent any NDC.
Researchers investigated the link between breastfeeding and neurodevelopment by examining the medical records of 570,532 children in Israel born after 35 weeks of gestation from January 2014 to December 2020, all without coexisting health issues.
The findings revealed that breastfed babies had a 17% lower risk of milestone delays, including smiling and self-soothing, and a 12% lower chance of delays in motor skills, such as rolling and crawling.
Breastfeeding for six months or more decreases the risk of language-related neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) by 28% and motor-related NDC by 24%. Breastfed babies also have a 26% lower risk of undetermined NDC. The benefits are evident after six months but plateau after 10 to 12 months.
The researchers did not specify the children's specific NDCs. For diagnostic purposes, they identified language and social NDCs, including ADHD, severe behavioral disorder, and autism, which have all seen increased diagnoses.
Autism diagnoses increased 175% between 2011 and 2022, growing from a rate of 2.3 to 6.3 per 1,000 people.
Researchers attribute the rise in autism diagnoses to better screening, increased awareness, and broader diagnostic criteria. However, autism advocacy groups argue that the causes of autism remain unclear, with many experts stating there isn't a single specific cause.
Motor-neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) included cerebral palsy, paralysis, and dysfunction of two limbs, while unclassified NDCs involved developmental disorders, epilepsy, and low developmental quotients.
Many children exhibited delays in speech, social skills, or motor skills. Although not meeting milestones on time doesn't directly indicate a developmental delay, it is linked to potential future issues.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy/symptoms-causes
https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8567139
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831869
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825472
