The effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on motor development and its relation to the pattern of feeding in early infancy

Background
Infant feeding is a modifiable health behavior that has long-term effect on various aspects of infant's neurodevelopmental achievement. Neurotrophins are a family of proteins, especially nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), that play a major role in the development, nutrition, growth, and maintenance of the neurons. Moreover, BDNF has a major role in axonal guidance, promoting growth of dendrites and dendritic spines, and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative, cardiometabolic, and autoimmune diseases.


Aim
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding pattern in the first 6 months of life on BDNF serum level and motor development in early infancy.


Patients and methods
This cross-sectional study included 60 clinically healthy infants aged 6–12 months who were categorized according to their feeding pattern in the first 6 months of life into 30 breastfed and 30 formula-fed infants. BDNF serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Denver developmental screening tests were assessed in relation to the feeding pattern.


Results
Infants with delayed achievement of motor milestones had significant lower level of BDNF than those with appropriate development. Breastfed infants had higher BDNF level (3.45±1.6 ng/ml) than formula-fed infants (1.98±1.30 ng/ml) (P<0.0001). Achievement of motor developmental milestone was significantly delayed in artificially fed than breastfed infant (43.3 vs. 16.7%) (P=0.02). Regression analysis demonstrated that BDNF is an independent predictor of motor development in early infancy.


Conclusion
BDNF is an important regulator of motor development in early infancy. Serum level of BDNF was higher; achievement of motor milestones was earlier in breastfed than formula-fed infants. Health programs encouraging exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life should be established. Efforts should be done to follow-up the motor development of artificially fed infant for early detection of any delay.