A long-term study has pointed to a link between breastfeeding and intelligence.The research in Brazil traced nearly 3,500 babies, from all walks of life, and found those who had been breastfed for longer went on to score higher on IQ tests as adults.

　　长期研究表明，母乳喂养和孩子的智商之间存在联系。巴西一项研究对3500名来自各行各业的婴儿进行了跟踪调查，发现母乳喂养的时间越长，成年之后孩子的智商越高。

　　Experts say the results, while not conclusive, appear to back current advice that babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. But they say mothers should still have a choice about whether or not to do it。

　　专家表示，尽管这些结果并不是最终结论，但似乎也支持纯母乳喂养六个月这项建议。但是他们表示，妈妈们有权选择是否这样做。

　　Regarding the findings, they stress there are many different factors other than breastfeeding that could have an impact on intelligence, although the researchers did try to rule out the main confounders, such as mother’s education, family income and birth weight。

　　关于该项发现，尽管研究人员试着排除一些混杂因素，如妈妈的教育水平、家庭收入以及出生体重等，但是他们强调除母乳喂养之外还有很多不同因素会影响孩子的智商。

　　Dr Bernardo Lessa Horta, from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil, said his study offers a unique insight because in the population he studied, breastfeeding was evenly distributed across social class - not something just practised by the rich and educated。

　　巴西佩洛塔斯联邦大学的伯纳多·莱萨·奥塔博士表示他们的研究非常独特，因为他研究的人群中，母乳喂养是在社会各阶层平均分配的，而不只是局限于富人或受过高等教育的人群。

　　Most of the babies, irrespective of social class, were breastfed - some for less than a month and others for more than a year. Those who were breastfed for longer scored higher on measures of intelligence as adults. They were also more likely to earn a higher wage and to have completed more schooling。

　　大部分婴儿，不论社会阶级如何，都进行母乳喂养，有的不足一个月，有的超出一年。母乳喂养时间长的，成年之后智商、薪资和学历都会更高。

　　Dr Horta believes breast milk may offer an advantage because it is a good source of long-chain saturated fatty acids which are essential for brain development. But experts say the study findings cannot confirm this and that much more research is needed to explore any possible link between breastfeeding and intelligence。

　　奥塔博士认为，母乳的优势在于其中含有丰富的有益于婴儿大脑发育的长链饱和脂肪酸。但是，专家表示这些发现并不能确认这些，若要探索母乳喂养和智力之间的关系，需要进一步研究。

　　Kevin Fenton, Public Health England, said there was strong evidence that breastfeeding provides some health benefits for babies - reduced respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in infancy, for example。

　　英国公共卫生局(PHE)的凯文·芬顿表示很多证据表明母乳喂养有益于孩子健康，比如降低婴儿呼吸道和胃肠道感染的几率。

　　He said: "PHE’s advice remains that exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life provides health benefits to babies. We recognise however, that not all mothers choose, or are able, to breastfeed and infant formula is the only alternative to breast milk for babies under 12 months old."

　　他说：“PHE仍然建议进行6个月纯母乳喂养有益于婴儿健康。”“但是并非所有母亲都会选择或者能够进行母乳喂养，因此对于一周岁以下的婴儿来说，婴儿奶粉是唯一的选择。”

　　Dr Colin Michie, chairman of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s nutrition committee, said: "There have been many studies on the link between breastfeeding and IQ over the years with many having had their validity challenged。

　　英国皇家儿科医学院营养委员会主任科林·米奇医生说道：“很多研究都对母乳喂养和智商之间联系进行了调查，但是很多研究的有效性都遭到了质疑。”

　　"This study however, looks at a number of other factors including education achievement and income at age 30 which makes this study a very powerful one。

　　“但是这项研究注意到了其他因素，包括教育成就以及30岁时的收入水平，让这项研究的说服力大大增强。”

　　"It is important to note that breastfeeding is one of many factors that can contribute to a child’s outcomes, however this study emphasises the need for continued and enhanced breastfeeding promotion so expectant mothers are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding."

　　“母乳喂养只是影响孩子最终表现的一个方面，注意到这点非常重要。尽管如此，该项研究还是强调了须继续鼓励母乳喂养，以便准妈妈们了解母乳喂养的种种好处。”

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