Language processing in breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency benefits from maternal thiamine supplementation

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #female #male #infant #double-blind-method

Language processing in breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency benefits from maternal thiamine supplementation

Baldwin et al., 2025 | Dev Psychol | Rct

Citation

Baldwin Dare A, Measelle Jeffrey, ... Whitfield Kyly C. Language processing in breastfed infants at risk of thiamine deficiency benefits from maternal thiamine supplementation. Dev Psychol. 2025-Aug;61(8):1427-1440. doi:10.1037/dev0001829

Abstract

In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, we investigated relationships between infants' exposure to thiamine and their language-processing ability. Three hundred thirty-five lactating Cambodian mothers of 161 female/174 male infants received either 0, 1.2, 2.4, or 10 mg of thiamine daily, from 2 to 24 weeks postpartum. We assessed infants' language processing at 24 weeks via the infant-directed speech (IDS) task, measuring attentional enhancement to IDS versus adult-directed speech. Maternal thiamine supplementation displayed a small but statistically significant dose-response relationship to the magnitude of infants' IDS-elicited attentional enhancement (adjusted R² = 0.022, p = .011). As well, only infants whose mothers received a daily thiamine supplement of 10 mg showed fully robust IDS-related attentional enhancement. These findings showcase the IDS Task for monitoring the integrity of infants' language processing and underscore the importance of adequate thiamine early in life for ensuring optimal language development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Key Findings

(PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Female
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Breast Feeding
  • Thiamine
  • Thiamine Deficiency
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Language Development
  • Attention
  • Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: thiamine-energy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09