Psychomotor development trajectories according to nutritional status in breastfed children

Abstract

Objective: To describe psychomotor development (PMD) trajectories and nutrition in children fed with breastfeeding (BF) and to evaluate possible associations.

Subjects and Method: Prospective cohort of full-term infants, without known pathologies, fed with BF. The intake of BF was evaluated with an isotopic technique at three months. At six successive ages, the nutritional status was evaluated according to the body mass index (BMI) for age and the PMD using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Children who had at least two follow-up evaluations were included. Multivariate analysis of the trajectories by the PMD domain was performed according to BMI/A and BF, controlled by biosocio-demographic variables.

Results: 53 children were included (60% male), 76 % were eutrophic, and 62% and 38% were fed exclusively or predominantly with BF, respectively. The nutritional and PMD trajectories were stable and within the normal range; there were no infants in the obesity range. In the multivariate analysis, the Communication domain was significantly associated with BMI (p = 0.049) and BF (p = 0.032). Problem Solving domain was associated with BMI (p = 0.040). No significant associations were found in the trajectories of motor and socio-individual domains.

Conclusion: The nutritional trajectories and each PMD domains were stable and within normal ranges. Exclusive BF was associated with a better Communication trajectory, while the BMI was associated with better Communication and Problem-Solving.