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Cited by 767Breastfeeding Practices and InfluencesInfant Nutrition and HealthInfant Development and Preterm Care

Breastfeeding and intelligence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Horta, Bernardo L, Loret de Mola, Christian, Victora, Cesar G·2015·Acta Paediatrica
DOI 10.1111/apa.13139
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Abstract

Aim: This study was aimed at systematically reviewing evidence of the association between breastfeeding and performance in intelligence tests. Methods: Two independent searches were carried out using Medline, LILACS , SCIELO and Web of Science. Studies restricted to infants and those where estimates were not adjusted for stimulation or interaction at home were excluded. Fixed‐ and random‐effects models were used to pool the effect estimates, and a random‐effects regression was used to assess potential sources of heterogeneity. Results: We included 17 studies with 18 estimates of the relationship between breastfeeding and performance in intelligence tests. In a random‐effects model, breastfed subjects achieved a higher IQ [mean difference: 3.44 points (95% confidence interval: 2.30; 4.58)]. We found no evidence of publication bias. Studies that controlled for maternal IQ showed a smaller benefit from breastfeeding [mean difference 2.62 points (95% confidence interval: 1.25; 3.98)]. In the meta‐regression, none of the study characteristics explained the heterogeneity among the studies. Conclusion: Breastfeeding is related to improved performance in intelligence tests. A positive effect of breastfeeding on cognition was also observed in a randomised trial. This suggests that the association is causal.

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  • Breastfeeding is associated with higher intelligence scores in infants.

    “higher intelligence scores (Horta et al., 2015)”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Horta et al., 2015

    The Discussion reports that breastfeeding was associated with higher intelligence-test scores in childhood and adolescence. The Methods specify that included studies assessed children older than one year, so the paper does not establish the stated association in infants. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Horta, B. L., Loret de Mola, C., & Victora, C. G.
Affiliations
  • Universidade Federal de Pelotas (BR)
  • Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology Universidade Federal de Pelotas Pelotas Brazil
Corresponding author
Horta, Bernardo L
ORCID
Venue
Acta Paediatrica
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-11-04
Volume
104
Issue
S467
Pages
14-19
ISSN
  • 0365-1436 (ISSN-L)
  • 0803-5253
  • 1651-2227
DOI
10.1111/apa.13139
OpenAlex
W1934656702
Cited by
767
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 59 · 2024: 87 · 2023: 103 · 2022: 73 · 2021: 97 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 75 · 2018: 60 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
6.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Acta Paediatrica (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Infant Nutrition and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
Keywords
breastfeeding, intelligence, IQ, cognitive development, infant cognition, maternal IQ
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Breast Feeding, Republic of Belarus, Child, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Infant, Intelligence, Intelligence Tests, Male, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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