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Breastfeeding Might Prevent ADHD, Says Study

Breastfeeding Might Prevent ADHDIf you are breastfeeding your child, they might be less prone to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A new study conducted by a team of Israeli researchers and published in the journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that breastfeeding helps fight against the onset of ADHD.

The study was conducted by lead researcher Aviva Mimouni-Bloch, MD, of the Tel-Aviv University (TAU) Sackler Faculty of Medicine. In researching the link between breastfeeding and ADHD, Dr. Mimouni-Bloch compared breastfeeding history and other outside factors in children between the ages of 6 and 12. Researchers used two control groups made up non-ADHD children to determine the results.

The study collected various determining factors from parents including their child’s educational, psychosocial, medical status, pregnancy, and perinatal details.

Researchers then examined if the mother breastfed exclusively, supplemented with formula, or used formula exclusively. Formula use was monitored starting at one month, two months, three months, six months, and one year old.

The study concluded that children with ADHD were less likely to be breastfed at three and six months of age compared to children who were exclusively breastfed.

The group found that 43% of children with ADHD were breastfed at three moths. That number fell to 29% when children were breastfed until at least six months old.

Upon the completion of the study, the authors wrote:

“Whether the lesser exposure to breastfeeding in ADHD children is causally associated with ADHD or, on the contrary, a consequence of early abnormalities of feeding behavior at the breast cannot be determined from the current study.”

“We speculate that prevention, at least partial, of ADHD may be added to the list of the multiple biological advantages of human milk feeding.”

The study is important because research in the past has found that ADHD can continue into adulthood and in some cases cause psychological problems.

References

Breastfeeding May Help Prevent ADHD In Children: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260582.php

Image Credits

Breastfeeding Might Prevent ADHD: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Breastfeeding-icon-med.svg

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