Introduction: Breastfeeding is important for brain development and was shown by many workers to result in higher scores intelligent quotient (IQ). However, the exact mechanism whereby Breastfeeding influences cognitive development remains unclear.
Objective: To study the expression of genetic code FADS2 linked to the cognitive function in relation to the mode of feeding.
Methodology: The study comprised 30 low birth weight (LBW) infants of 32 to 34 weeks gestation age including 15 exclusively breastfed and 15 fed infant milk formula IMF selected from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Talkha central hospital in Dakahlia governorate. Blood samples were drawn at birth and at 12 weeks of life and FADS2 gene expression-was measured using real time PCR.
Results: FADS2 gene expression demonstrated a significant increase from birth to 3 months, with a tenfold rise in breastfed group compared to a twofold rise in the artificially fed group at P< 0.001. There was a significant positive correlation between education of the mother and IQ of the child in artificially fed group.
Conclusion: Breast milk influences gene expression. The higher FADS2 expression observed in the breastfed group may be used to predict higher IQ scores in the breastfed preterm. The mammary gland could well be an organ that stipulates and regulates genetic expression in the newborn
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