Association of Breastfeeding Duration with Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in an Enriched Familial Likelihood Cohort for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study looked at breastfeeding and development in younger siblings of children with autism, who have higher autism risk. Researchers found that children breastfed for more than 12 months had better thinking and learning skills compared to those breastfed for 3 months or less. However, how long children were breastfed didn't affect their chances of developing autism or autism symptoms. The average breastfeeding time was about 11 months.

This study examined breastfeeding duration and neurodevelopmental outcomes in siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), representing a high-risk population. Researchers analyzed data from the MARBLES study, assessing 349 children using standardized developmental measures including the Mullen Scales and ADOS. The median breastfeeding duration was 10.7 months. Key findings showed that extended breastfeeding (>12 months) was associated with higher cognitive scores compared to minimal breastfeeding (0-3 months).

However, breastfeeding duration did not significantly influence ASD symptomatology or overall ASD risk. The study found no differences in breastfeeding duration distribution across neurodevelopmental outcome categories (typical development, ASD, non-typical development), suggesting breastfeeding practices were similar regardless of eventual developmental outcomes in this enriched-risk cohort.

Extended breastfeeding may support cognitive development in autism-likelihood populations without affecting ASD risk. Healthcare providers can counsel families that breastfeeding duration appears beneficial for cognitive outcomes but does not prevent autism development in high-risk siblings.

Sample size not reported limits interpretation. Single cohort study design prevents broader generalization. Unclear methodology details regarding confounding variables and statistical controls. Study focuses on enriched-likelihood population which may not represent general autism risk patterns.

This study aimed to compare the breastfeeding (BF) duration of the younger siblings of children with ASD in an enriched-likelihood cohort for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to determine whether longer BF duration was associated with differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes in this cohort. Information on BF practices was collected via surveys in the MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies-Learning Early Signs) study. Developmental evaluations, including the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, were conducted by expert clinicians. Participants' neurodevelopmental outcome was classified by an algorithm into three groups: typical development, ASD, and non-typical development.

The median duration of BF was 10.70 months (interquartile range of 12.07 months). There were no significant differences in the distribution of duration of BF among the three neurodevelopmental outcome categories. Children in this enriched-likelihood cohort who were breastfed for > 12 months had significantly higher scores on cognitive testing compared to those who were breastfed for 0-3 months. There was no significant difference in ASD symptomatology or ASD risk based on BF duration.