Premature babies born weeks before normal; They may have lower math, reading and other skills, and a higher risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, recent studies show that it is possible for preterm babies to experience better neurodevelopmental outcomes later in life with interventions made in the first weeks and months.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, USA, and the Health and Medical Research Institute of South Australia, reached interesting results in a seven-year study on preterm babies and breast milk. The research findings were published on the JAMA Network Open.
Premature children who get more breastmilk turn out to be smarter in later years
Researchers studying premature babies have observed that children who receive more breast milk in and out of the neonatal intensive care unit have higher academic achievement and IQ. It also turned out that these babies were less likely to have attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in the future.
Mandy Brown Belfort, one of the authors of the study, said, “Our study reveals that providing breast milk to preterm babies can provide long-term neurodevelopmental benefits,” while emphasizing that early breastfeeding can significantly help children years later.
Belfort and colleagues reached the findings by examining the results of 586 children as part of the study. The team, who wanted to see whether the data of the dose and duration of delivery of breast milk would provide certain neurodevelopmental results, carried out their examinations when the children reached the age of 7. These reviews included academic performance, IQ, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, executive functions, and more.
The study concluded that higher amounts of breast milk led to higher IQs and better math and reading skills. The parents of these children also reported experiencing lower ADHD symptoms. The experts added that the results are more common in babies born quite prematurely, such as those born under 30 weeks.
Finally, the researchers point out that the study is observational and other factors may also be effective in this regard. Nevertheless, this study, which was carried out on a very large scale, provides us with important data to benefit the development of preterm children.
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