Comments on: Breastfeeding Boosts IQ in Children with Particular Gene

By: Kit

Kit — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:43:23 +0000

As you might notice, I did specifically not talk about the length of time benefits from breast feeding last. The antibody stimulation provided by breast feeding I do believe are very long lasting indeed. The amount of time, however, for effective stimulation to take root, WAS the theme in my previous comments. Yes, I am sure you have written a great deal. Your efforts to help women grapple with their informational needs and concerns are greatly appreciated by us all! Thank you for allowing me to post as much as I have. As one TV talk show host is known for saying, “I give you the last word”.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:59:38 +0000

Your statement: “Also, that there is no direct evidence that length of time (beyond six months to one year) for breast feeding a child enhances either the child’s IQ, antibody production, health, and/ or antibody retention. To state otherwise, categorically, may be misleading.” is simply not true. The benefits of breastfeeding last well beyond the first year, and in fact, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least two years. In particular, antibodies become even more concentrated in a mother’s milk over time, and provide many protections to breastfed children beyond one year. I have written a great deal about the scientific studies that show the benefits of on-going breastfeeding under the blog categories “advantages of breastfeeding,” “extended breastfeeding,” “toddler nursing,” and “scientific studies.”

By: Kit

Kit — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:37:08 +0000

I did read the abstract as well as their report. Thank you for pasting it here for ease of reference.

It is interesting to note that the study “presumes” fatty acids to be a driver. The study results showing what is believed to be a direct correlation between FADS2, its relationship to fatty acid pathways, and the ultimate cognitive ability, have, as we are aware, not been independently verified. However, based on the study results it seems like a theory to be advanced at this point. There is a strong difference in scientific opinion on this issue. In fact there are European study results that show there is no direct corrleaton between IQ and/or the health of the child due to breast feeding over that of formula. Those results are indeed recognized by the World Healt Organization (WHO) as well. That is, my only point. Let us not speak as though this correlation is an undisputed fact! At least let us acknowledge there exist two bodies of thought on this issue and each with its own body of evidence. Also, that there is no direct evidence that length of time (beyond six months to one year) for breast feeding a child enhances either the child’s IQ, antibody production, health, and/ or antibody retention. To state otherwise, categorically, may be misleading.

An additional thing we note is the lack of correlation between the mother’s IQ and the gene variant. That would tend to rule out any (earlier) notion some may have, that only higher IQ mom’s tend to breast feed their baby. That is, lower IQ mom’s have the fatty acids as well. The study led the group to conclude that FADS2 “moderates” the association between breast feeding and IQ.

To reach any objective assessment or conclusions, requires presentation of both sides of any issue.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:54:57 +0000

The study abstract explains that the researchers took into account the mother’s IQ (”maternal cognitive ability”) and ruled out variations in the mother’s IQ as an explanation for the increase in IQ scores in breastfed children with the gene variant: “Breastfed children attain higher IQ scores than children not fed breast milk, presumably because of the fatty acids uniquely available in breast milk. Here we show that the association between breastfeeding and IQ is moderated by a genetic variant in FADS2, a gene involved in the genetic control of fatty acid pathways. We confirmed this gene–environment interaction in two birth cohorts, and we ruled out alternative explanations of the finding involving gene–exposure correlation, intrauterine growth, social class, and maternal cognitive ability, as well as maternal genotype effects on breastfeeding and breast milk.”

By: Kit

Kit — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:43:41 +0000

IF it were true, that a low IQ mom is likely to produce a low IQ child then your earlier position that breast feeding tends to produce higher IQ is likely to be false. Low IQ moms do breastfeed. So, I can only assume that since you do maintain brestfeeding procuces higher IQs, then you believe that, regardless of the mom’ IQ. I maintain there is NO DIRECT evidence that breast feeding produces higher IQs.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:12:17 +0000

If you are talking about factors that need to be controlled for in a study (such as “a low IQ mom is likely to produce a low IQ child”), then whether a mother’s IQ affects her decision to breastfeed is another factor, just as income and education levels are frequently cited as factors in the decision to breastfeed.

By: Kit

Kit — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:05:45 +0000

Angela! I would have expected something a bit more professional from you. I mean, talk about a bias!

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:49:50 +0000

Or perhaps it’s the mothers with the high IQ who are more likely to breastfeed….

By: Kit

Kit — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:25:11 +0000

What evidence is there to show that the baby’s IQ is not a direct function of that of the mother’s? A low IQ mom is likely to produce a low IQ child regardless of whether or not the baby was breast fed. How about that for a theroy?

By: Kit

Kit — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:28:04 +0000

To my knowledge there is no scientific evidence that breat feeding helps or hinders IQ. Nor is there evidence, to my knowlegde, that not breast feeding hinders or helps IQ.