IS BREASTFEEDING SUPERIOR TO FORMULA FEEDING IN IMPACTING CHILD COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Past research evidence has shown that breastfeeding has significant benefits with regard to cognitive development. However, emerging evidence has shown how breastfeeding may lead to equally beneficial outcomes with regard to cognitive development. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the relevant evidence. Aims: The aim of this systematic review was to compare the impact of breastfeeding and formula feeding on cognitive development by analyzing prospective cohort studies. Methods: This research conducted a thorough search of several databases such as AMED, PUBMED in addition to British Nursing Index and CINAHL. The goal was to utilize all sources of information with regard to identification of prospective studies. The search was limited to articles published between 2000 and 2016, resulting in a total of 15 studies, including 10 quantitative and 5 qualitative studies, that were deemed relevant for review. To ensure that the studies selected for review were of high quality and free from biases, two critical appraisal tools were used. The first tool, the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP), is a widely recognized tool for evaluating the quality and rigor of qualitative and quantitative research studies. The second tool, the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies developed by the Effective Public Health Project (EPHPP), is specifically designed to assess the quality of quantitative studies. Results: The review findings revealed that breastfeeding may provide cognitive advantages to children when compared to formula feeding. However, it is pertinent to note how these results are often confounding by factors such as socioeconomic status, parental education etc. Consequently, when evaluating the effects of breastfeeding and formula feeding on cognitive development, it is necessary to consider the role of environmental, biological, social, and cultural factors. Conclusion: Overall, this review underscores the need for further research to better understand the complex relationships between breastfeeding, formula feeding, and cognitive development and to help inform public health policies and interventions aimed at promoting optimal cognitive development in children. Keywords: breast feeding, formula feeding, cognitive development, CASP, Medline, EMBASE