Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVEThis systematic review study aimed to assess the evidence available for the association between breastfeeding and behavior disorders in childhood and adolescence.METHODSThe search was carried out in the PubMed, Lilacs, and PsycINFO databases up to December 2016. Inclusion criteria were as follows: prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional studies assessing the association between breastfeeding and behavior disorders in childhood or adolescence, using psychometric tests, carried out in humans and published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. The search was performed in several stages by two independent researchers using pre-established criteria.RESULTSEighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Breastfeeding for a period equal to or higher than three or four months seemed to be inversely associated with total behavior and conduct disorders in childhood; however, the association remains unclear for other behavior disorders. Only four studies assessed behavior disorders in adolescence, and when an association was found, it was likely to be positive. The duration of breastfeeding seemed to be more important than the exclusive or non-exclusive pattern of breastfeeding.CONCLUSIONSBreastfed children for at least three to four months had fewer total behavior and conduct disorders in childhood. Further studies are needed to better understand this association, particularly in adolescence and involving other behavioral profiles.
Highlights
A number of studies have shown the benefits of breastfeeding for both children and mothers, regardless of socioeconomic status[1,2,3,4]
Breastfeeding for a period equal to or higher than three or four months seemed to be inversely associated with total behavior and conduct disorders in childhood; the association remains unclear for other behavior disorders
The results show that NEBF≥6mo had a positive impact on the development of personal/social abilities
Summary
A number of studies have shown the benefits of breastfeeding for both children and mothers, regardless of socioeconomic status[1,2,3,4]. A recent meta-analysis has shown that breastfeeding protects the child against infections but may reduce the risk of overweight and diabetes and protect the mother against breast and ovarian cancer, and type-2 diabetes[4]. Some studies have reported benefits of breastfeeding on emotional and behavioral development in children and adolescents[12,13,14,15,16], whilst others with the same aim have not found any association[17,18,19]
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