Breastfeeding and cognitive development; interference evaluation by "5 digits test"

Different publications have analyzed the possible correlation between breastfeeding length and a better cognitive development during school age. The present study evaluates the possible long term beneficial effects of breastfeeding during the first months of life on the cognitive development, as well as its possible role on the attention deficit and hyperactivity prevention. Currently this evaluation is of special interest considering the increasing number in western societies of childhood attention deficits, with or without, hyper - activity disorders. 103 children, during the first year of elementary education, 6 years of age (47 boys and 56 girls), were recruited in different schools of the Granada province, including urban, semi-urban and rural areas. The speed of cognitive processing and the ability to focus attention and reorient after an incident of distraction, using the five digits test (5-DGT), - variant of the Stroop interference test- were analyzed. Data show a linear correlation between longer breastfeeding and better scores in the test. Particularly significant (P ≤ 0.001) are the reading and alternation tests for children who were breastfed for 6 months when compared with those that only received this nutrition during their first month of life. This study validates the initial hypothesis, showing faster resolution speed and less interference in the group of children breastfed, at least during the first 6 months of life. Further well designed studies are necessary for reinforced breastfeeding recommendation, at least during the first 6 months of life, for children underclinical suspicion of possible ADHD development.