Association of breastfeeding and adolescents' psychopathology: a large prospective study

Breastfeeding duration and risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological evidence on the relationship between breastfeeding duration in early childhood and subsequent depressive symptoms in adolescence is limited. This prebirth cohort study examined whether a longer breastfeeding duration was associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents at 13 years.

METHODS

The study included 872 mother-child pairs. Adolescent depressive symptoms were assessed using a 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score of ≥16.

RESULTS

The risk of depressive symptoms was 23.2% among the 872 adolescents aged 13 years. A reverse J-shaped association was found between breastfeeding duration and depressive symptoms at 13 years. Compared with <6 months of breastfeeding, 6 to <18 months, but not ≥18 months, of breastfeeding was significantly associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for depressive symptoms at 13 years for <6 months, 6 to <18 months, and ≥18 months of breastfeeding were 1 (reference), 0.58 (0.34-0.99), and 0.78 (0.46-1.32), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study found a reverse J-shaped association between breastfeeding duration and depressive symptoms at age 13. Breastfeeding for a duration of at least 6 months may be recommended to prevent adolescent depressive symptoms.

IMPACT

Epidemiological evidence on the relationship between breastfeeding duration in early childhood and subsequent depressive symptoms in adolescence is limited. The current prebirth cohort study is the first to report a reverse J-shaped association between breastfeeding duration and depressive symptoms at 13 years. Compared with breastfeeding for <6 months, breastfeeding for 6 to <18 months, but not ≥18 months, was significantly associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms at 13 years.

From Mind to Milk: The Influence of Psychological Factors on the Composition of Human Breast Milk

Background/Objectives: Breast milk is a complex fluid crucial for infant development, nutrition, and immunological and neurodevelopmental support. Recent findings suggest that factors regarding mental health, such as stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression (PPD), may influence the composition of breast milk. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding the relationship between a mother's mental state and the biochemical profile of human milk, focusing mainly on nutrients, hormones, immune factors, and microbiota. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and the Web of Science using predefined keywords related to psychological factors and milk composition. Studies involving validated psychological assessment tools and only human subjects were included, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: Findings indicated that maternal stress and PPD are associated with alterations in breast milk composition. Elevated cortisol and changes in melatonin and prolactin levels have been observed. Immune components, such as secretory immunoglobulin A and transforming growth factor beta 2, exhibit variable responses depending on stress type and duration. Lower concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid have been observed among mothers diagnosed with depression. Additionally, maternal psychological distress may influence infants' gut microbiota composition, potentially affecting long-term health outcomes. Conclusions: The maternal psychological state plays an essential role in shaping the composition of human breast milk. Understanding these associations highlights the need for mental health support during the postpartum period to optimize infant development. Future research should focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes and potential interventions to mitigate adverse effects.

Nurturing development: how a mother's nutrition shapes offspring's brain through the gut

Pregnancy is a transformative period marked by profound physical and emotional changes, with far-reaching consequences for both mother and child. Emerging research has illustrated the pivotal role of a mother's diet during pregnancy in influencing the prenatal gut microbiome and subsequently shaping the neurodevelopment of her offspring. The intricate interplay between maternal gut health, nutrition, and neurodevelopmental outcomes has emerged as a captivating field of investigation within developmental science. Acting as a dynamic bridge between mother and fetus, the maternal gut microbiome, directly and indirectly, impacts the offspring's neurodevelopment through diverse pathways. This comprehensive review delves into a spectrum of studies, clarifying putative mechanisms through which maternal nutrition, by modulating the gut microbiota, orchestrates the early stages of brain development. Drawing insights from animal models and human cohorts, this work underscores the profound implications of maternal gut health for neurodevelopmental trajectories and offers a glimpse into the formulation of targeted interventions able to optimize the health of both mother and offspring. The prospect of tailored dietary recommendations for expectant mothers emerges as a promising and accessible intervention to foster the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, potentially leading to enhanced cognitive outcomes and reduced risks of neurodevelopmental disorders.

The Breastfeeding Experiences of Mother-Infant Dyads and the Effects of an FMR1 Mutation

This study examined the early breastfeeding experiences of mothers with an FMR1 premutation (FXPM) and their infants with and without fragile X syndrome (FXS) to identify early feeding needs and potential opportunities for intervention. Data collection occurred through a retrospective national survey that captured data on breastfeeding experiences and co-occurring conditions of mother and child. Participants were 246 mothers with an FXPM. Of their 384 infants, 287 had FXS and 97 were unaffected (i.e., they did not have FXS or an FXPM). Unaffected infants had a longer breastfeeding duration relative to infants with FXS, and infants of mothers who had postpartum depression (PPD). Additionally, infants who were reported to display aggressiveness towards others later in childhood had a shorter breastfeeding duration than those who did not go on to display aggression. Approximately 42% percent of mothers reported difficulties with breastfeeding infants with FXS compared to only 17% of unaffected infants. The most common reason for breastfeeding cessation for mothers of children with FXS was perceived difficulties in breastfeeding for the child (37%), whereas the most common reason for mothers of unaffected infants was a personal choice to stop (37%). This study provides preliminary evidence that infants with FXS show early phenotypes that make breastfeeding more difficult. Future research should investigate whether interventions for infants with FXS could improve breastfeeding outcomes.

Breastfeeding and behavioral problems in five-year-old Japanese children: The Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study

PURPOSE

This prebirth cohort study examined the relationship between breastfeeding duration and behavioral problems in five-year-old Japanese children.

METHODS

Study subjects were 1198 mother-child pairs. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems and low prosocial behavior were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

RESULTS

Neither exclusive breastfeeding duration nor breastfeeding duration regardless of exclusivity was significantly associated with childhood emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, or peer problems or low prosocial behavior. In children with older siblings only, ≥ 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding was significantly inversely associated with hyperactivity problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.31-0.99). In children without older siblings, ≥ 4 months of exclusive breastfeeding was inversely significantly associated with low prosocial behavior (adjusted OR = 0.54, 95 % CI: 0.30-0.93). No interactions were observed between exclusive breastfeeding duration and the presence of older siblings regarding the two outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

No associations were found between breastfeeding duration and any of the outcomes based on the SDQ. Exclusive breastfeeding for ≥ 4 months may be inversely associated with hyperactivity problems in children with older siblings and with low prosocial behavior in children without older siblings.

High-risk neighbourhoods and behaviour outcomes in children born extremely preterm

AIM

Study the association between neighbourhood risk and behaviour in extreme preterm (EPT) children. We hypothesised that EPT children living in high-risk neighbourhoods have increased risk of clinical range behaviour problems at age 30-36 months.

METHODS

Retrospective analyses of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)scores for 739 EPTs born 2005-2016. Addresses were geocoded to identify census block groups and create high versus low-risk groups. Regression analyses assessed the impact of neighbourhood risk on behaviour.

RESULTS

Children from high-risk (N = 272, 39%) and low-risk (N = 417, 61%) neighbourhoods were compared. In adjusted analyses, odds of clinical range scores remained greater in high-risk neighbourhoods for Emotionally Reactive (OR: 4.32, CI: 1.13, 16.51), Somatic Complaints (2.30, CI 1.11,4.79), Withdrawn (OR: 2.56, CI: 1.21, 5,42), Aggressive Behaviour (OR: 4.12, CI: 1.45, 11.68), Internalising (OR: 1.96, CI: 1.17, 3.28), and Total score (OR: 1.86, OR: CI: 1.13, 3.07). Cognitive delay was higher in high-risk neighbourhoods and a risk factor for Attention Problems (2.10,1.08, 4.09). Breast milk was protective for Emotionally Reactive (OR: 0.22, CI: 0.06, 0.85) and Sleep Problems (OR: 0.47, CI:0.24, 0.94).

CONCLUSION

Neighbourhood risk provided an independent contribution to preterm adverse behaviour outcomes with cognitive delay an additional independent risk factor. Breast milk at discharge was protective.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prenatal, Birth, and Postnatal Factors Associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Previous studies have shown mixed results on the relationship between prenatal, birth, and postnatal ("pregnancy-related") risk factors and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted meta-analyses to identify potentially modifiable pregnancy-related factors associated with ADHD. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE in 2014, followed by an updated search in January 2021, identified 69 articles published in English on pregnancy-related risk factors and ADHD for inclusion. Risk factors were included in the meta-analysis if at least three effect sizes with clear pregnancy-related risk factor exposure were identified. Pooled effect sizes were calculated for ADHD overall, ADHD diagnosis, inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for dichotomous measures and correlation coefficients (CC) for continuous measures. Prenatal factors (pre-pregnancy weight, preeclampsia, pregnancy complications, elevated testosterone exposure), and postnatal factors (Apgar score, neonatal illness, no breastfeeding) were positively associated with ADHD overall; the findings for ADHD diagnosis were similar with the exception that there were too few effect sizes available to examine pre-pregnancy weight and lack of breastfeeding. Prenatal testosterone was significantly associated with inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Effect sizes were generally small (range 1.1-1.6 ORs, -0.16-0.11 CCs). Risk factors occurring at the time of birth (perinatal asphyxia, labor complications, mode of delivery) were not significantly associated with ADHD. A better understanding of factors that are consistently associated with ADHD may inform future prevention strategies. The findings reported here suggest that prenatal and postnatal factors may serve as potential targets for preventing or mitigating the symptoms of ADHD.

Which individual, social, and urban factors in early childhood predict psychopathology in later childhood, adolescence and young adulthood? A systematic review

Background

A comprehensive picture is lacking of the impact of early childhood (age 0-5) risk factors on the subsequent development of mental health symptoms.

Objective

In this systematic review, we investigated which individual, social and urban factors, experienced in early childhood, contribute to the development of later anxiety and depression, behavioural problems, and internalising and externalising symptoms in youth.

Methods

Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsycInfo were searched on the 5th of January 2022. Three additional databases were retrieved from a mega-systematic review source that focused on the identification of both risk and protective indicators for the onset and maintenance of prospective depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders. A total of 46,450 records were identified and screened in ASReview, an AI-aided systematic review tool. We included studies with experimental, quasi-experimental, prospective and longitudinal study designs, while studies that focused on biological and genetical factors, were excluded.

Results

Twenty studies were included. The majority of studies explored individual-level risk factors (N = 16). Eleven studies also explored social risk factors and three studied urban risk factors. We found evidence for early predictors relating to later psychopathology measures (i.e., anxiety and depression, behavioural problems, and internalising and externalising symptoms) in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. These were: parental psychopathology, exposure to parental physical and verbal violence and social and neighbourhood disadvantage.

Conclusions

Very young children are exposed to a complex mix of risk factors, which operate at different levels and influence children at different time points. The urban environment appears to have an effect on psychopathology but it is understudied compared to individual-level factors. Moreover, we need more research exploring the interaction between individual, social and urban factors.

Establishing associated risk factors, including fungal and parasitic infections among Malaysians living with schizophrenia

The aetiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial, and the identification of its risk factors are scarce and highly variable. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors associated with schizophrenia among Malaysian sub-population. A total of 120 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) and 180 non-schizophrenic (NS) individuals participated in a questionnaire-based survey. Data of complete questionnaire responses obtained from 91 SZ and 120 NS participants were used in statistical analyses. Stool samples were obtained from the participants and screened for gut parasites and fungi using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The median age were 46 years (interquartile range (IQR) 37 to 60 years) and 35 years (IQR 24 to 47.75 years) for SZ and NS respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression showed that the factors associated with increased risk of SZ were age, sex, unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week. These factors, except sex, were positively associated with the severity of SZ. Breastfed at infancy as well as vitamin and supplement consumption showed a protective effect against SZ. After data clean-up, fungal or parasitic infections were found in 98% (39/42). of SZ participants and 6.1% (3/49) of NS participants. Our findings identified non-modifiable risk factors (age and sex) and modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors (unemployment, presence of other chronic ailment, smoking, and high dairy consumption per week) associated with SZ and implicate the need for medical attention in preventing fungal and parasitic infections in SZ.

Psychiatric disorders in perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected children: a systematic review

The population of perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children is growing rapidly globally. However, perinatal HIV and antiretroviral (ARV) medicine exposure in HIV-uninfected children has raised concerns about HEU children's mental well-being. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on psychiatric disorders in HEU children. The PRISMA guideline was used as a methodical frame of reference. A systematic search was conducted in 5 databases. Data from the included studies were extracted, and the results were summarized qualitatively. The search identified 1,976 articles of which 105 were eligible for full-text analysis. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies compared psychiatric disorder prevalence in perinatally HIV-infected children with HEU children, and only one study found a difference between the two groups. Three studies found that HEU children had a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders compared with HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) children. These findings indicate that factors such as psychosocial stress, socioeconomic status, and stigma contribute to the increased risk of mental disorders in HEU children. More research is needed comparing HEU children with HUU children adjusting for potential confounders that might partially explain the higher rates seen in the HIV-exposed population.Prospero ID: CRD42020212420.

Association of breastfeeding with mental disorders in mother and child: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding has long been associated with numerous benefits for both mothers and infants. While some observational studies have explored the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes in mothers and children, a systematic review of the available evidence is lacking. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the association between breastfeeding and mental health disorders in mothers and children.

METHODS

We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to June 2, 2023. The inclusion criteria consisted of all studies evaluating links between breastfeeding and development of mental health disorders in children and mothers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) while grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of evidence. A random-effects meta-analysis was used if possible, to estimate the odds ratio for the association between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes. The Mantel-Haenszel method was utilised for pooling ORs across studies. Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

Our review identified twenty-one original study. Of these, 18 focused on the association between breastfeeding and child health, assessing depressive disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. Three studies evaluated the associations between breastfeeding and maternal mental health disorders. Three studies looking at outcomes in children showed no significant association between breastfeeding and occurrence of schizophrenia later in life (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.57-1.71; I2 = 29%). For depressive disorders (5 studies) and anxiety disorders (3 studies), we found conflicting evidence with some studies showing a small protective effect while others found no effect. The GRADE certainty for all these findings was very low due to multiple limitations. Three studies looking at association between breastfeeding and maternal mental health, were too heterogeneous to draw any firm conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

We found limited evidence to support a protective association between breastfeeding and the development of mental health disorders in children later in life. The data regarding the association between breastfeeding and maternal mental health beyond the postnatal period is also limited. The methodological limitations of the published literature prevent definitive conclusions, and further research is needed to better understand the relationship between breastfeeding and mental health in mothers and children.

Porcine blood cell and brain tissue energy metabolism: Effects of "early life stress"

Background: Early Life Stress (ELS) may exert long-lasting biological effects, e.g., on PBMC energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration. Data on its effect on brain tissue mitochondrial respiration is scarce, and it is unclear whether blood cell mitochondrial activity mirrors that of brain tissue. This study investigated blood immune cell and brain tissue mitochondrial respiratory activity in a porcine ELS model. Methods: This prospective randomized, controlled, animal investigation comprised 12 German Large White swine of either sex, which were weaned at PND (postnatal day) 28-35 (control) or PND21 (ELS). At 20-24 weeks, animals were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated and surgically instrumented. We determined serum hormone, cytokine, and "brain injury marker" levels, superoxide anion (O₂ ^•¯) formation and mitochondrial respiration in isolated immune cells and immediate post mortem frontal cortex brain tissue. Results: ELS animals presented with higher glucose levels, lower mean arterial pressure. Most determined serum factors did not differ. In male controls, TNFα and IL-10 levels were both higher than in female controls as well as, no matter the gender in ELS animals. MAP-2, GFAP, and NSE were also higher in male controls than in the other three groups. Neither PBMC routine respiration and brain tissue oxidative phosphorylation nor maximal electron transfer capacity in the uncoupled state (ETC) showed any difference between ELS and controls. There was no significant relation between brain tissue and PBMC, ETC, or brain tissue, ETC, and PBMC bioenergetic health index. Whole blood O₂ ^•¯ concentrations and PBMC O₂ ^•¯ production were comparable between groups. However, granulocyte O₂ ^•¯ production after stimulation with E. coli was lower in the ELS group, and this effect was sex-specific: increased O₂ ^•¯ production increased upon stimulation in all control animals, which was abolished in the female ELS swine. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that ELS i) may, gender-specifically, affect the immune response to general anesthesia as well as O₂ ^•¯ radical production at sexual maturity, ii) has limited effects on brain and peripheral blood immune cell mitochondrial respiratory activity, and iii) mitochondrial respiratory activity of peripheral blood immune cells and brain tissue do not correlate.

Maternal smoking around birth may lower the protective effects of breastfeeding on anxiety, depression and neuroticism in adult offspring: a UK biobank study

We aim to explore the combined effects of the smoking and breastfeeding on offspring mental health outcomes. We used data from UK biobank (N = 342,846) to evaluate joint effect of breastfeeding and maternal smoke during pregnancy (MSDP) on seven adult offspring mental health outcomes (self-reported depression, depression score, self-reported anxiety, anxiety score, neuroticism score, self-harm, suicide). We stratified individuals to MSDP group and non-MSDP group as well as breastfeeding group and non-breastfeeding group. Multiple linear regression and logistic regressions analysis were performed between independent variables (MSDP or breastfeeding) and dependent variables separately (seven mental health outcomes) in each stratum. Effect estimates were expressed as β values and OR values. Sex, age, 10 principle components of population structure, smoking, alcohol use, and Townsend deprivation index were examined as covariates. At MSDP grouping level, coefficients (odds ratio [OR]) for association of breastfed as a baby with self-reported anxiety (category variable) were 0.87 (95%CI, (0.82-0.93), P = 1.74 × 10^-5) in the MSDP group and 0.83 (95%CI, (0.79-0.87), P = 2.76 × 10^-17) in the non-MSDP group. At breastfeeding grouping level, OR for association of MSDP and self-reported anxiety were 1.15 (95%CI, (1.10-1.20), P = 5.36 × 10^-11) in breastfeeding group and 1.12(95%CI, (1.06-1.20), P = 2.02 × 10^-4) in non-breastfeeding group. At MSDP grouping level, negatively associations were found for breastfeeding and anxiety score (continuable variable) in MSDP group (-0.04 SD change per SD change in MSDP, 95% CI, (- 0.06, - 0.02), P = 2.42 × 10^-3) and non-MSDP group (-0.06 SD change per SD change in MSDP, 95%CI, (- 0.07, - 0.04), P = 1.70 × 10^-11). At breastfeeding grouping level, positive association was found for MSDP and anxiety score in the breastfeeding group (0.07 SD change per SD change in MSDP, 95%CI, (0.06-0.09), P = 1.49 × 10^-20) and non-breastfeeding group (0.07 SD change per SD change in MSDP, 95%CI, (0.05-0.09), P = 7.19 × 10^-8). Compared with non-MSDP group, the protective effect (reflected by coefficients) of breastfeeding on anxiety in the MSDP decreased. Our preliminary study found MSDP may lower the protective effect of breastfeeding on the adult offspring anxiety, depression and neuroticism, providing useful recommendations for health care service via quitting smoking during pregnancy and encouraging prolonged breastfeeding.

Early Life Exposure to a Diet With a Supramolecular Lipid Structure Close to That of Mammalian Milk Improves Early Life Growth, Skeletal Development, and Later Life Neurocognitive Function in Individually and Socially Housed Male C57BL/6J Mice

Breastfeeding (duration) can be positively associated with infant growth outcomes as well as improved cognitive functions during childhood and later life stages. (Prolonged) exposure to optimal lipid quantity and quality, i.e., the supramolecular structure of lipids, in mammalian milk, may contribute to these beneficial effects through nutritional early-life programming. In this pre-clinical study, we exposed male C57BL/6J mice from post-natal Days 16 to 42 (i.e., directly following normal lactation), to a diet with large lipid droplets coated with bovine milk fat globule membrane-derived phospholipids, which mimic more closely the supramolecular structure of lipid droplets in mammalian milk. We investigated whether exposure to this diet could affect growth and brain development-related parameters. As these outcomes are also known to be affected by the post-weaning social environment in mice, we included both individually housed and pair-wise housed animals and studied whether effects of diet were modulated by the social environment. After Day 42, all the animals were fed standard semi-synthetic rodent diet. Growth and body composition were assessed, and the mice were subjected to various behavioral tests. Individual housing attenuated adolescent growth, reduced femur length, and increased body fat mass. Adult social interest was increased due to individual housing, while cognitive and behavioral alterations as a result of different housing conditions were modest. The diet increased adolescent growth and femur length, increased lean body mass, reduced adolescent anxiety, and improved adult cognitive performance. These effects of diet exposure were comparable between individually and socially housed mice. Hence, early life exposure to a diet with lipid droplets that mimic the supramolecular structure of those in mammalian milk may improve adolescent growth and alters brain function in both socially and individually housed mice. These findings suggest that lipid structure in infant milk formula may be a relevant target for nutritional solutions, targeting both healthy infants and infants facing growth challenges.

Do Breastfeeding History and Diet Quality Predict Inhibitory Control at Preschool Age?

Inhibitory control is the ability to control impulsive behavior. It is associated with a range of mental and physical health outcomes, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance dependence. Breastfeeding and healthy dietary patterns have been associated with better executive functions, of which inhibitory control is part. Additionally, breastfeeding has been associated with healthy dietary patterns. Following our preregistration in the Open Science Framework, we investigated the associations between breastfeeding history and inhibitory control at preschool age, with habitual diet quality as a potential mediating factor. A total of 72 families from a longitudinal study participated at child age 3. Breastfeeding questionnaires were administered at 2, 6, and 12 weeks, and at 12 and 36 months. Six inhibitory control tasks were performed during a home visit, and questionnaires were filled in by both parents. Diet quality at age 3 was assessed via three unannounced 24-h recalls. Structural equation modelling was performed in R. This study did not provide evidence that breastfeeding history is associated with inhibitory control in 3-year-old children. Furthermore, diet quality at age 3 did not mediate the link between breastfeeding history and inhibitory control. Previous studies have investigated broader aspects of inhibitory control, such as executive functions, and used different methods to assess nutritional intake, which might explain our differential findings. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on associations between nutrition and behavior. Future replications with larger and more diverse preschool samples are recommended.

Exploring Perinatal Indicators of Infant Social-Emotional Development: A Review of the Replicated Evidence

The importance of infant social-emotional development for outcomes across the lifecourse has been amply demonstrated. Despite this, most screening measures of social-emotional development are designed for children 18 months of age and over, with a clear gap in earlier infancy. No systematic review has yet harvested the evidence for candidate indicators in the perinatal window. This paper examines modifiable risk and protective factors for two seminal early markers of social-emotional development: attachment security and behavioral regulation mid-infancy. We searched meta-analytic and longitudinal studies of developmental relationships between modifiable exposures in the perinatal window (pregnancy to 10 months postpartum) and attachment and behavioral regulation status measured between 12 and 18 months. Six electronic databases were used: ERIC, PsycINFO, Medline Complete, Informit, Embase, and Scopus. Twelve meta-analytic reviews and 38 original studies found replicated evidence for 12 indicators across infant, caregiving, and contextual domains predictive of infant behavioral regulation and attachment status between 12 and 18 months. Key among these were caregiving responsiveness, maternal mental health, couple relationship, and SES as a contextual factor. Perinatal factors most proximal to the infant had the strongest associations with social-emotional status. Beyond very low birthweight and medical risk, evidence for infant-specific factors was weaker. Risk and protective relationships were related but not always inverse. Findings from this review have the potential to inform the development of reliable tools for early screening of infant social-emotional development for application in primary care and population health contexts.

Feeding Infants at the Breast or Feeding Expressed Human Milk: Long-Term Cognitive, Executive Function, and Eating Behavior Outcomes at Age 6 Years

OBJECTIVE

To examine how expressed milk feeding diverges from feeding at the breast in its association with neurodevelopment and behavior. We hypothesized that longer and exclusive feeding at the breast only (ie, no formula, no feeding expressed milk) would be associated with the optimal cognitive developmental, executive function, and eating behaviors and that expressed milk feeding would be associated with less-optimal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

The Moms2Moms cohort (Ohio, US) reported infant feeding practices at 12 months postpartum and children's global cognitive ability, executive function, and eating behaviors at 6 years. Linear and log-binomial regression models estimated associations with durations of feeding at the breast, expressed milk, human milk (modes combined), and formula.

RESULTS

Among 285 participants, each month of exclusive feeding at the breast only was associated with a decreased risk of clinically meaningful executive function (working memory) deficit (adjusted relative risk [RR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96) but was unassociated with inhibition (adjusted RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-1.01). Feeding expressed milk was not clearly related to executive function outcomes. No associations with global cognitive ability were observed. Weak associations were observed with eating behaviors for some feeding practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding at the breast may offer advantages to some aspects of executive function that expressed milk may not. Large, prospective studies exploring mechanisms could further distinguish the effect of feeding mode from that of nutrients.

Influence of intra- and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life

OBJECTIVE

Infant sleep problems can affect the child's health. Maternal characteristics have been associated with the quality of infant sleep, but few studies have investigated the impact of intrauterine conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between adverse intrauterine environments (maternal smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction) and extrauterine factors on infant sleep in the first 6 months of life.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study, including singleton and at-term infants. Mothers were interviewed after delivery and at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months of life. Socioeconomic, breastfeeding, and sleep data were self-reported by mothers using semi-structured interviews. Maternal stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and postpartum depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale) were assessed.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant association between intrauterine environments and the sleep of infants of the 359 mother-child dyads investigated. Total infant sleep time decreased from approximately 13-11h from 30 days to 6 months of age (p<0.001) and the longest period of uninterrupted sleep increased from approximately 4-6h during the same period (p<0.001). Breastfed infants slept longer in 24-h periods in the first month, but they woke up more often throughout the night when compared to infants receiving formula. Mothers with depressive symptoms reported increased sleep latency time.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse intrauterine environments did not significantly affect sleep measures in the first 6 months of life. Maternal characteristics and practices, however, were associated with infant sleep, suggesting that environmental factors significantly contribute to sleep quality early in life.

Breastfeeding Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Preschool Children

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, most studies examining this association have focused on small samples outside the United States or were likely subject to substantial residual confounding. Our objectives were to investigate, in a nationally representative sample of preschool children in the United States, the associations between ADHD and both age of breastfeeding cessation and age of formula introduction, as well as associations between ADHD and exclusive breastfeeding duration.

METHODS

Analysis of data from children aged 3 to 5 years in the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health (n = 12,793). Logistic regressions were used to model current medical diagnosis of preschool ADHD as a function of breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding exclusivity, and the timing of formula introduction with adjustment for 12 potential confounders using propensity scores, including sex, age, race, household income, prematurity, insurance, and medical home.

RESULTS

After adjustment for potential confounders, exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months was associated with substantially reduced odds of ADHD (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [aPOR] = 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.99). Breastfeeding duration was also associated with ADHD, with 8% reduced odds of ADHD for each additional month of breastfeeding (aPOR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99). The results for exclusive breastfeeding duration were similar, but the confidence interval included the null (aPOR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85-1.00). The age of formula introduction was not associated with ADHD (aPOR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.81-1.05).

CONCLUSION

In a nationally representative sample of preschool children, breastfeeding was associated with a lower prevalence of ADHD. These findings provide evidence in support of the neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding.

Exposição ao aleitamento materno e transtornos mentais comuns na adolescência

Resumo: O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da exposição e do tempo de exposição ao aleitamento materno na ocorrência de transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) entre adolescentes escolares brasileiros. Este trabalho analisou dados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA), avaliando aqueles que tiveram o questionário referente ao aleitamento materno respondido pelos pais ou responsáveis. A presença de TMC foi identificada pelo General Health Questionnaire, versão 12 itens (GHQ-12), considerando-se dois pontos de corte (escores ≥ 3 e ≥ 5). As associações foram testadas em análises bivariadas e por meio de modelos de regressão logística múltipla, com ajustes por variáveis potenciais de confusão. Dentre os 41.723 adolescentes avaliados, a maioria foi composta por estudantes do sexo feminino (54,6%), que tinham idades entre 12 e 15 anos (71%), estudavam em escolas públicas (83,1%), residiam na Região Sudeste (51,9%) e eram das classes econômicas B (53,8%) e C (34,1%). Cerca de metade das mães dos adolescentes não tinha o ensino médio completo (51,7%). O grupo de adolescentes com mais de seis meses de aleitamento materno (51,8%) apresentou uma menor prevalência de TMC para os dois pontos de corte do GHQ-12 avaliados, quando comparado com o grupo que não recebeu aleitamento materno ou que o recebeu por período ≤ 1 mês (RI = 0,82; IC95%:0,69-0,97 e RI = 0,74; IC95%: 0,59-0,91 para 3 e 5 pontos, respectivamente). O aleitamento materno prolongado parece desempenhar um papel protetor para a ocorrência de TMC na adolescência.

A Meta-Analysis of Maternal Prenatal Depression and Anxiety on Child Socioemotional Development

OBJECTIVE

Observed associations between maternal prenatal stress and children's socioemotional development have varied widely in the literature. The objective of the current study was to provide a synthesis of studies examining maternal prenatal anxiety and depression and the socioemotional development of their children.

METHOD

Eligible studies through to February 2018 were identified using a comprehensive search strategy. Included studies examined the association between maternal prenatal depression or anxiety and the future development of their children's socioemotional development (eg, difficult temperament, behavioral dysregulation) up to 18 years later. Two independent coders extracted all relevant data. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to derive mean effect sizes and test for potential moderators.

RESULTS

A total of 71 studies met full inclusion criteria for data analysis. The weighted average effect size for the association between prenatal stress and child socioemotional problems was as follows: odds ratio (OR) = 1.66 (95% CI = 1.54-1.79). Effect sizes were stronger for depression (OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.61-1.99) compared to anxiety (OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.36-1.64). Moderator analyses indicated that effect sizes were stronger when depression was more severe and when socio-demographic risk was heightened.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that maternal prenatal stress is associated with offspring socioemotional development, with the effect size for prenatal depression being more robust than for anxiety. Mitigating stress and mental health difficulties in mothers during pregnancy may be an effective strategy for reducing offspring behavioral difficulties, especially in groups with social disadvantage and greater severity of mental health difficulties.

The impact of pre- and perinatal factors on psychopathology in adulthood

BACKGROUND

There is considerable evidence that pre- and post-natal factors are associated with a wide range of psychopathology in offspring during childhood and adolescence.

OBJECTIVE

The main aims of the present study were to examine the associations between pre- and perinatal factors and psychopathology in offspring during adulthood, and to explore whether family factors (i.e., family cohesion, mother's social support, and father's social support) mediate these relationships.

METHOD

Information on pre- and perinatal events was collected from biological mothers of the participants (N = 315) when they were between 14 and 18 years who were then followed up until they reached age 30.

RESULTS

Maternal obstetric history and illness during first year were significant predictors of offspring anxiety disorder. Maternal emotional health predicted offspring affective disorder. Difficult delivery and breast feeding predicted disruptive disorder. The relationship between maternal obstetric history/emotional health and anxiety/affective disorder was no longer significant after controlling for family cohesion.

LIMITATIONS

The information was based on maternal recall when their offspring were between 14 and 18 years which may be subjected to recall bias.

CONCLUSION

The association between pre- and postnatal factors and psychopathology of offspring during adulthood is mediated by familial factors.

The influence of postpartum PTSD on breastfeeding: A longitudinal population-based study

BACKGROUND

In most Western countries, breastfeeding rates are lower than what is recommended by the World Health Organization. Depression has been shown to influence breastfeeding outcomes; however, there is very little research on the role of postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined to what extent maternal postpartum PTSD predicted breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months, and continuation up to 1 and 2 years.

METHODS

The study is part of the large, population-based Akershus Birth Cohort. Data from the hospital's birth record and questionnaire data from 8 weeks and 2 years postpartum were used (n = 1480). All breastfeeding variables significantly correlated with postpartum PTSD were entered into stepwise logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Although most mothers (97.1%) initiated breastfeeding, considerably fewer adhered to the World Health Organization's breastfeeding guidelines about exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months (13.4%) or continued breastfeeding for 12 or 24 months postpartum (37.7% and 4.2%, respectively). Even after adjustment for important confounding variables, maternal postpartum PTSD was significantly associated with not initiating breastfeeding (aOR 5.98 [95% CI 1.79-19.97]). Postpartum PTSD was also significantly related to not continuing breastfeeding up to 12 months, although this association did not hold after adjusting for confounding variables.

CONCLUSION

Identifying women at risk of not initiating breastfeeding is crucial to prevent a negative influence on infant development and the development of the mother-infant bond. Early screening and treatment of women at risk of developing postpartum PTSD might be a way forward.

Breastfeeding and behavior disorders among children and adolescents: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review study aimed to assess the evidence available for the association between breastfeeding and behavior disorders in childhood and adolescence.

METHODS

The search was carried out in the PubMed, Lilacs, and PsycINFO databases up to December 2016. Inclusion criteria were as follows: prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional studies assessing the association between breastfeeding and behavior disorders in childhood or adolescence, using psychometric tests, carried out in humans and published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. The search was performed in several stages by two independent researchers using pre-established criteria.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Breastfeeding for a period equal to or higher than three or four months seemed to be inversely associated with total behavior and conduct disorders in childhood; however, the association remains unclear for other behavior disorders. Only four studies assessed behavior disorders in adolescence, and when an association was found, it was likely to be positive. The duration of breastfeeding seemed to be more important than the exclusive or non-exclusive pattern of breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfed children for at least three to four months had fewer total behavior and conduct disorders in childhood. Further studies are needed to better understand this association, particularly in adolescence and involving other behavioral profiles.

Linking the biological underpinnings of depression: Role of mitochondria interactions with melatonin, inflammation, sirtuins, tryptophan catabolites, DNA repair and oxidative and nitrosative stress, with consequences for classification and cognition

The pathophysiological underpinnings of neuroprogressive processes in recurrent major depressive disorder (rMDD) are reviewed. A wide array of biochemical processes underlie MDD presentations and their shift to a recurrent, neuroprogressive course, including: increased immune-inflammation, tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs), mitochondrial dysfunction, aryl hydrocarbonn receptor activation, and oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), as well as decreased sirtuins and melatonergic pathway activity. These biochemical changes may have their roots in central, systemic and/or peripheral sites, including in the gut, as well as in developmental processes, such as prenatal stressors and breastfeeding consequences. Consequently, conceptualizations of MDD have dramatically moved from simple psychological and central biochemical models, such as lowered brain serotonin, to a conceptualization that incorporates whole body processes over a lifespan developmental timescale. However, important hubs are proposed, including the gut-brain axis, and mitochondrial functioning, which may provide achievable common treatment targets despite considerable inter-individual variability in biochemical changes. This provides a more realistic model of the complexity of MDD and the pathophysiological processes that underpin the shift to rMDD and consequent cognitive deficits. Such accumulating data on the pathophysiological processes underpinning MDD highlights the need in psychiatry to shift to a classification system that is based on biochemical processes, rather than subjective phenomenology.

Breastfeeding and the gut-brain axis: is there a role for melatonin?

The benefits of breastfeeding over formula feed are widely appreciated. However, for many mothers breastfeeding is not possible, highlighting the need for a significant improvement in the contents of formula feed. In this article, the overlooked role of melatonin and the melatonergic pathways in breast milk and in the regulation of wider breast milk components are reviewed. There is a growing appreciation that the benefits of breastfeeding are mediated by its effects in the infant gut, with consequences for the development of the gut-brain axis and the immune system. The melatonergic pathways are intimately associated with highly researched processes in the gut, gut microbiome and gut-brain axis. As the melatonergic pathways are dependent on the levels of serotonin availability as a necessary precursor, decreased melatonin is linked to depression and depression-associated disorders. The association of breastfeeding and the gut-brain axis with a host of medical conditions may be mediated by their regulation of processes that modulate depression susceptibility. The biological underpinnings of depression include increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, kynurenine pathway activity and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, all of which can decrease melatonergic pathway activity. The inclusion of the melatonergic pathways in the biological interactions of breast milk and gut development has significant theoretical and treatment implications, as well as being important to the prevention of a host of infant-, child- and adult-onset medical conditions.

Formula Feeding as a Risk Factor for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Is Bisphenol A Exposure a Smoking Gun?

OBJECTIVE

Breastfeeding during infancy is associated with a lower risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although this is presumably due to breast milk's nutritional advantages, formula-fed infants have, until recently, also been exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), a neurotoxic chemical previously used to manufacture baby bottles and formula cans. Our goal was to examine the association between formula feeding and preschool ADHD in 2 comparable, serial cohorts of preschool children who differ in BPA exposure during infancy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 and 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Logistic regression was used to model preschool ADHD diagnoses as a function of breastfeeding, adjusting for 12 possible confounding variables using a propensity score.

RESULTS

In the 2007 data set (weighted n = 9,644,405), formula-fed subjects had a 5-fold increased odds of ADHD compared with breastfed subjects (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.58, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.16-14.41). In the 2011/12 data set (n = 9,732,865), there was no significant association between formula feeding and later ADHD (aOR: 1.05, 95% CI, 0.42-2.64). This is despite an increase in the prevalence of preschool ADHD in 2011 (0.88%) compared with 2007 (0.40%) (Rao-Scott χ, p < .0075).

CONCLUSION

Compared with breastfed infants, ADHD was more common among formula-fed infants in the 2007 but not the 2011/12 sample, where exposure to BPA was markedly reduced. These findings suggest that the reduced prevalence of ADHD among breastfed infants may not be due to the nutritional benefits of breast milk, but rather early exposure to BPA, a neurotoxic chemical previously found in infant formula.

Does having a difficult child lead to poor maternal mental health?

OBJECTIVES

Considerable evidence suggests maternal psychopathology influences that of their offspring. The probability of a reverse causal pathway has been only rarely considered but is a concern, given around 10% of children manifest mental impairment during their early years. This study determines the extent to which child behavior problems at ages 5 and 14 years are associated with mothers' mental health at 21 years post birth.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal study.

METHODS

Data were taken from a sample of 3650 women from Mater and University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy birth cohort. Women's mental health was measured using the Mental Disorder Screening Tool at 21 years post birth. The Child Behavior Check List was used to measure internalizing, combined social/attention/thought disorder, and aggression at the age of 5 and 14 years. Logistic regression was used to derive odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A number of confounders were used to test for independence.

RESULTS

Following all adjustments, child internalizing behaviors and combined social/attention/thought disorder at 5 years, and all measures of child behavior problem at 14 years were associated with mothers meeting criteria for mental health impairment at 21 years post birth. Moreover mothers of children with behavior problems at 14 years were approximately 2-3 times more likely to these meet these criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers of children with behavior problems at 5 and 14 years of age were more likely to have mental health impairment at 21 years post birth. Child health professionals should be cognizant of the mother-child relationship having mutual mental health vulnerability.

Does breast-feeding reduce offspring junk food consumption during childhood? Examinations by socio-economic status and race/ethnicity

Objective

To examine whether breast-feeding duration and socio-economic status (SES) interact to predict junk food consumption among offspring and whether the interaction differs across racial/ethnic groups.

Design

Survey research using a longitudinal panel design. Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyse the data.

Setting

In-home interviews with the child’s parents over a 5-year period across the USA.

Subjects

Approximately 10 000 American children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B).

Results

The findings revealed that longer breast-feeding durations correspond to lower levels of junk food consumption, but that this relationship emerges consistently only among low-SES blacks.

Conclusions

Efforts to promote breast-feeding among low-SES black women may have the added benefit of reducing their children’s junk food intake, and may thereby promote their general health and well-being. Future research should seek to explore the mechanisms by which breast-feeding might benefit the dietary habits of low-SES black children.

Sociocultural factors influencing breastfeeding practices in two slums in Nairobi, Kenya

BACKGROUND

Despite numerous interventions promoting optimal breastfeeding practices in Kenya, pockets of suboptimal breastfeeding practices are documented in Kenya's urban slums. This paper describes cultural and social beliefs and practices that influence breastfeeding in two urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

METHODS

Qualitative data were collected in Korogocho and Viwandani slums through 10 focus group discussions and 19 in-depth interviews with pregnant, breastfeeding women and community health volunteers and 11 key-informant interviews with community leaders. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded in NVIVO and analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

Social and cultural beliefs and practices that result to suboptimal breastfeeding practices were highlighted including; considering colostrum as 'dirty' or 'curdled milk', a curse 'bad omen' associated with breastfeeding while engaging in extra marital affairs, a fear of the 'evil eye' (malevolent glare which is believed to be a curse associated with witchcraft) when breastfeeding in public and breastfeeding being associated with sagging breasts. Positive social and cultural beliefs were also identified including the association of breast milk with intellectual development and good child health. The beliefs and practices were learnt mainly from spouses, close relatives and peers.

CONCLUSION

Interventions promoting behavior change with regards to breastfeeding should focus on dispelling the beliefs and practices that result to suboptimal breastfeeding practices and to build on the positive ones, while involving spouses and other family members as they are important sources of information on breastfeeding.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN83692672: December 2013 (retrospectively registered).

Breastfeeding and mental health in adulthood: A birth cohort study in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding is negatively associate with behavioral and internalization problems, psychological stress, and depressive/anxiety symptoms. However, studies evaluating specific mental health disorders are scarce. We aimed to assess the association between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes in young adults.

METHODS

In 1982, hospital deliveries in Pelotas (Southern Brazil) were identified; liveborns were examined and their mothers interviewed (n=5914). Information on breastfeeding was collected in early childhood. In 2012-13, at 30 years of age, we used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for the diagnosis of major depression (MD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD). In addition, we used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Self-reported Questionnaire (SRQ-20), to evaluate depressive symptoms severity and common mental disorders (CMD), respectively. We used multivariable regression models to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and mental health outcomes.

RESULTS

We evaluated 3657 individuals. Prevalence of CMD, MD, GAD and SAD was 24.3%, 7.9%, 12.7% and 3.6%, respectively. In multivariable models the odds of having a more severe case of depression (BDI-II) was smaller among those breastfed for 6 or more months (OR=0.69 95%CI [0.53-0.89]). We observed a similar pattern for MD and CMD, however, confidence intervals included the reference.

LIMITATIONS

We had no information on home environment characteristics during childhood. Lack of power and a small effect size could explain why we did not detect an association between breastfeeding and MD.

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding reduced the odds of having more severe depressive symptoms.

Long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant#$#apos;s life, with continuation of breastfeeding for at least a year or as mutually desired by mother and child. A robust body of research literature documenting the short-term medical, developmental, and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for infants and toddlers supports this position. This article reviews the neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding as it relates to preschool and school-age children, with particular emphasis on cognitive development, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of research studies examining breastfeeding and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes suggest that children who breastfeed for longer than 6 months have better cognitive outcomes, lower risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and lower risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

SUMMARY

Pediatricians play a critical role in educating and counseling families about infant nutrition and feeding. Along with the many positive short-term medical effects that breastfeeding confers, physicians should be aware of the growing body of research suggesting that there are also significant long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding.

The Association Between Breastfeeding Exposure and Duration, Neuropsychological Deficits, and Psychopathic Personality Traits in Offspring: The Moderating Role of 5HTTLPR

A wealth of research has revealed that a shorter duration of breastfeeding during infancy can increase the risk of various maladaptive traits, including neuropsychological deficits. Despite the number of studies that have been conducted on the topic, few studies have explored whether the effects of breastfeeding on neuropsychological functioning and personality features persist into adulthood. Furthermore, very little research to date has examined whether this relationship is moderated by specific indicators of genetic risk. The current study examines the direct and interactive effects of breastfeeding experiences and the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5HTTLPR) on neuropsychological deficits and psychopathic personality traits. Using data from the National Longitudinal study of Adolescent Health, we find that no exposure to breastfeeding and a shorter duration of breastfeeding significantly increase the risk of exhibiting neuropsychological deficits during adolescence and early adulthood as well as psychopathic personality traits during adulthood. The results also reveal a number of gene × environment interactions between 5HTTLPR, breastfeeding exposure and breastfeeding duration in the prediction of neuropsychological deficits, but not in the prediction of psychopathic personality traits.

Infant Breastfeeding Duration and Mid-Childhood Executive Function, Behavior, and Social-Emotional Development

OBJECTIVE

The authors aim was to examine associations of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity in infancy with executive function, behavior, and social-emotional development in mid-childhood.

METHODS

The authors studied 1037 participants in Project Viva, a prebirth cohort that enrolled pregnant mothers from 1999 to 2002 and followed children for 7 to 10 years. Main exposures were: (1) duration of any breastfeeding in the first 12 months and (2) duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months. Main outcomes were child executive function, behavior, and social-emotional development, assessed by (1) the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and (2) the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), completed independently by parents and teachers. Higher scores indicate greater problems.

RESULTS

In linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographics, maternal intelligence, home environment, early child care, and maternal depression, longer breastfeeding duration was not associated with substantially better executive function, behavior, or social-emotional development. For example, for each additional month of any breastfeeding, the BRIEF Global Executive Composite score (parent) was 0.10 points higher (95% confidence interval, -0.01 to 0.22) and the SDQ total difficulties score was 0.06 points higher (-0.01, 0.12). Breastfeeding duration was also not associated with BRIEF or SDQ subscales, nor was exclusive breastfeeding duration associated with any of the outcomes analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Despite beneficial effects on general intelligence, longer duration of any breastfeeding or of exclusive breastfeeding was not associated with better executive function, behavior, or social-emotional development in mid-childhood.

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with differences in infants' brain responses to emotional body expressions

Much research has recognized the general importance of maternal behavior in the early development and programing of the mammalian offspring's brain. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration, the amount of time in which breastfed meals are the only source of sustenance, plays a prominent role in promoting healthy brain and cognitive development in human children. However, surprisingly little is known about the influence of breastfeeding on social and emotional development in infancy. In the current study, we examined whether and how the duration of EBF impacts the neural processing of emotional signals by measuring electro-cortical responses to body expressions in 8-month-old infants. Our analyses revealed that infants with high EBF experience show a significantly greater neural sensitivity to happy body expressions than those with low EBF experience. Moreover, regression analyses revealed that the neural bias toward happiness or fearfulness differs as a function of the duration of EBF. Specifically, longer breastfeeding duration is associated with a happy bias, whereas shorter breastfeeding duration is associated with a fear bias. These findings suggest that breastfeeding experience can shape the way in which infants respond to emotional signals.

Breastfeeding and active bonding protects against children's internalizing behavior problems

Breastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits to offspring and mothers and may improve maternal-infant bonding. Ample evidence suggests breastfeeding can improve child neurodevelopment, but more research is needed to establish whether breastfeeding is linked to the development of child psychopathology. This paper aims to explore the effects of both breastfeeding and mother-child interactions on child behavioral outcomes at a later age. Children from the China Jintan Child Cohort Study (N = 1267), at age six years old were assessed, along with their parents. Children who were breastfed exclusively for a period of time in the presence of active bonding were compared to those who were breastfed in the absence of active bonding as well as to children who were not exclusively breastfed, with or without active bonding. Results from ANOVA and GLM, using SPSS20, indicate that children who were breastfed and whose mothers actively engaged with them displayed the lowest risk of internalizing problems (mean = 10.01, SD = 7.21), while those who were neither exclusively breastfed nor exposed to active bonding had the least protection against later internalizing problems (mean = 12.79, SD = 8.14). The effect of breastfeeding on internalizing pathology likely represents a biosocial and holistic effect of physiological, and nutritive, and maternal-infant bonding benefits.

Breast feeding and early adolescent behaviour, self-esteem and depression: Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort

OBJECTIVE

Breast feeding may contribute to neurological development and hence mental health. However, associations from Western populations are unclear, and most likely confounded by socioeconomic position (SEP), making evidence from other sociocultural settings valuable. We examined whether breast feeding was associated with early adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, self-esteem and depressive symptoms in a non-Western developed setting, where socioeconomic patterning of breast feeding differs from but other postnatal characteristics are similar to Western settings.

DESIGN

The adjusted associations of breast feeding with emotional and behavioural problems assessed from parent-reported Rutter z-score at ~11 years (n=5598, 67% follow-up), self-reported self-esteem z-score at ~11 years (n=6937, 84%) and depressive symptoms assessed from self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 z-score at ~13 years (n=5797, 70%) were examined using multivariable linear regression in a population-representative Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort, 'Children of 1997'.

RESULTS

Mothers from families with higher education tended to start but not sustain breast feeding, whereas migrant mothers tended to start and sustain breast feeding. Breast feeding for 3+ months had mostly null associations with Rutter score, self-esteem or depressive symptoms adjusted for sex, age, survey mode, SEP, parents' age, birth weight-for-gestational age, birth order and secondhand smoke exposure, although partial breast feeding for any length of time or exclusive breast feeding for <3 months was associated with poorer behaviour (higher Rutter z-score (0.10, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.16)) and lower self-esteem (-0.09, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In a non-Western developed setting, breast feeding was inconsistently associated with several early adolescent mental health measures suggesting a reflection of setting specific unmeasured confounding.