All day-long pacifier use and intelligence quotient in childhood: A birth cohort study.
Elsa Regina Justo GiuglianiErissandra GomesIná S SantosAlicia MatijasevichFabio A Camargo-FigueraAluísio J D BarrosPublished in: Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology (2021)
We found a strong association between intense pacifier use up to 4 years of age and lower IQ at 6 years. A dose-response gradient was observed, with greater IQ deficits in children who used a ADL pacifier for longer durations. The mechanisms underlying this association need to be clarified. One hypothesis is that children using a pacifier, especially those who use it more intensely, are less stimulated.