Cognitive Development in Bottle Versus Breastfed Children up to Two Years: A Comparative Study from Islamabad

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the proportion of exclusively breastfeeding and to determine the association of various types of feeding with cognitive development in children up to two years of age.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient Department of Pediatrics, Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jan to Aug 2019.

Methodology: Mothers of children under two years of age visiting the hospital were recruited by systematic sampling. The data was collected through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. A score of each child has dichotomized into satisfactory and unsatisfactory cognitive development overall and separately for each domain viz communication, fine motor, gross motor, problem-solving and personal social skills.

Results: Out of 192 children, less than half, 77(40.1), were exclusively breastfed. Feeding practices had a statistically significant effect on overall cognitive development (p<0.002) and also individually on communication (p<0.006), fine motor (p<0.022), gross motor (p<0.001) and problem-solving skills (p<0.011) of children under two years of age. Exclusive breastfeeding showed better cognitive development (p<0.003).

Conclusion: Promoting breastfeeding practices is necessary as it leads to better children's cognitive development. This research revealed that the longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding was a more satisfactory cognitive development.
Keywords: Breastfeeding, Cognitive development, Feeding practices.