Pre-term Nutrition

The importance of maternal health during pregnancy is well-established, and a recent study highlights its impact on a child’s neurodevelopment. The study found that maternal body composition may have a significant impact on the child's neurodevelopment, with positive outcomes for 2-year–old children born to mothers with no gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and/or obesity. The study also explored the negative association between maternal body fat composition and neurodevelopment in children. Further, it also reveals a link between maternal diet quality, nutrient intake during pregnancy, and children’s language skills. The study lays a special emphasis on modulating maternal body composition and diet during pregnancy to improve children's neurodevelopment.

A recent study explored the effectiveness of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. According to the study, enrichment of the maternal diet with omega dietary supplements increases long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) levels, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), by 1.18 and 1.37 times, respectively, as compared to non-supplemented mothers. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can penetrate the umbilical cord, thereby significantly increasing the levels of EPA and DHA in the blood of developing neonates. Further, the study adds to the understanding that maternal omega-3 supplementation reduces the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, which can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, thus reducing the risk of preterm birth. Hence, it is essential to increase the awareness and accessibility of LC-PUFA–rich foods and supplements in pregnant women without apprehension of methylmercury contamination. These findings provide insights into shaping future recommendations for pregnant women, with careful consideration of dosage and duration of supplementation.

A consequence of prematurity is impaired neurodevelopment, as preterm infants miss an important period of brain growth that would have occurred in utero. The most important objective of nutritional management of the preterm infant is the prevention of growth failure in order to protect the infant’s brain. Breast milk is the best for preterm infant nutrition, it has been shown to confer improved short- and long-term outcomes such as lower rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and neurodevelopmental advantages. More recently, research has demonstrated an association between increased nutrients such as protein and energy and positive developmental outcomes.