Infant Breastfeeding and Behavioral Disorders in School-Age Children

Objective: To explore the effects of breastfeeding on behavioral disorders of school-age children. Materials and Methods: Totally 1,979 children of 6-11 years old from three primary schools in Xiamen, China, were assessed and included for further analysis. The Pearson chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression model were used to analyze the effects of breastfeeding on internalizing behaviors such as depression, withdrawn, and somatic complaints, and externalizing behaviors such as aggression and rule-breaking behavior. Results: The Pearson chi-square test revealed that the percentages in internalizing behavioral problems (chi(2) = 21.693, p < 0.001), depression (chi(2) = 12.713, p= 0.002), and somatic complains (chi(2) = 12.850, p= 0.002) were significantly lower with the decrease of the duration of breastfeeding. However, there were no statistically significant differences in externalizing behavioral problems. After adjusting the potential covariates, children who were breastfed for >6 months were significantly associated with the reduced risk of internalizing behavioral problems (Odds ratio = 0.446, 95%CI: 0.228-0.873) and depression (Odds ratio = 0.452, 95% CI: 0.225-0.906) compared with those who were never breastfed, whereas differences were not found in externalizing behavioral problems. Conclusion: Increased duration of breastfeeding (>= 6 months) could help lower internalizing behavioral problems, particularly depression, in school-age children. Breastfeeding with longer duration will play an important role to prevent and reduce children's internalizing behavioral disorders.