Abstract

OBJECTIVE

İn this study the effects of breast feeding and artificial feeding of infants between 0-4 months on the psychomotor development were compared by using AGTE test.

METHODS

One hundred infants between 12 to 15 months of age who were followed-up in neonatology clinic between December 1999 to July 2000 were included in this study. The patients were regrouped in to two equal groups as breast milk and formula-fed infants. Psychomotor development were evaluated via Ankara Developmental Screening Inv entory Tests(ADSI). Duration of breast feeding, infant birth weight, gender, mother's education level, employment status, mother's age, the presence of a sister to evaluate the effects of psychomotor development were recorded.

RESULTS

The ADSI scores were statistically higher in breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants. Among the factors such as duration of breast feeding, infant birth weight, gender, mother's education level, employment status, mother's age, the presence of a sister, only feeding style was found to have effect on psychomotor development.

CONCLUSION

In our study major factor affecting psychomotor development in infants was found to be breast feeding