The impact of breast milk feeding on early brain development in preterm infants in China: An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevailing consensus from large epidemiological studies is that breastfeeding is associated with improved IQ and cognitive functioning in later childhood and adolescence. Current research is exploring the association between breastfeeding and early brain development in preterm infants.

Objective

To explore the differences in brain gray matter between breastmilk-fed and formula-fed preterm infants using structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

A convenience sample of breastmilk-fed preterm infants(n = 34) and formula-fed infants (n = 22) aged approximately 32 weeks. At near term-equivalent age, MR scanning was performed. Gray matter structural and functional differences between the two groups were assessed using MATLAB software for v

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9678255 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature