Genetic testing performed by Existence Genetics enables parents to have access to this extremely useful information about their newborn. Although it may be ideal for most mothers to breastfeed, many are in situations that make the decision not so simple. For example, some women take medications that prevent them from breastfeeding, and others experience pain, poor milk production, and other difficulties.
Researchers have identified a specific gene that significantly influences whether a baby’s brain will benefit from breastfeeding. A study found that only if a baby has this gene and is breastfed will they gain, on average, 7 IQ points. If the baby doesn’t have this gene then breastfeeding appears to have no effect upon IQ.
Empowered by this groundbreaking research, Existence Genetics now provides women, pediatricians, wet nurses, and lactation consultants with exclusive genetic testing services that will allow them to make a more informed decision about breastfeeding. While this specific testing is based upon the results of preliminary research, some healthcare professionals may find this genetic information useful in-conjunction with other non-genetic factors in helping their patients decide whether to breastfeed.
It’s been known for a long time that, in addition to having a stronger immune system and possibly a lowered risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies who are breastfed have, on average, a higher IQ than those who aren’t. This is because there are particular fatty acids in breast milk that are not in formula or cow’s milk. These fatty acids are found in high concentrations in an infant’s brain and, in essence, act as brain food. When there’s more food available, such as from breastfeeding, the developing brain becomes smarter.
This isn’t to say that non-breastfed infants can’t grow up to be really smart or that all breastfed infants will grow up to be highly intelligent; what it does mean is that breastfed babies have a greater likelihood of having a high IQ. What we didn’t know until recently, however, was whether breastfeeding was interacting in any way with the baby’s genes.
In 2007, researchers at Duke University conducted an impressive study of more than 3,000 children to answer that question. After correcting for other potential variants such as socioeconomic status and parents’ IQ, the results showed that the FADS2 gene was actually responsible for determining whether breastfeeding would increase an infant’s IQ.
Infants who have a specific version of the FADS2 gene will have an increase of approximately 7 IQ points, whereas infants without the variant won’t experience any IQ boost from breastfeeding. This is significant because designations on the IQ scale (such as superior intelligence or average intelligence) are generally separated by about only 10 points.
The FADS2 gene is involved in how a baby’s body processes those special fatty acids found in breast milk. The variant that increases IQ with breastfeeding allows for a much more efficient processing of those fatty acids so the brain is exposed to more of the beneficial substance.
If you are interested in genetic testing to determine the effect of breastfeeding on your baby’s IQ, please email
info@existencegenetics.com or talk with your healthcare provider about genetic testing from Existence Genetics. To facilitate the discussion, you can click
here to print out a one-page informational letter that you can send to your healthcare professional.
