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. 2020 Jan;87(2):194-201.
doi: 10.1038/s41390-019-0508-3. Epub 2019 Jul 26.

Nutrition and the developing brain: the road to optimizing early neurodevelopment: a systematic review

Katherine M Ottolini  1 , Nickie Andescavage  2   3 , Susan Keller  4 , Catherine Limperopoulos  5   6   7
Affiliations

Nutrition and the developing brain: the road to optimizing early neurodevelopment: a systematic review

Katherine M Ottolini et al. Pediatr Res. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Neonatal intensive care practices have resulted in marked improvements in the survival of premature infants; however, they remain at significant risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The impact of current nutritional practices on brain development following early extra-uterine exposure in premature infants is not well known.

Methods: We performed a systematic review to investigate nutritional effects on postnatal brain development in healthy term and prematurely born infants utilizing advanced magnetic resonance imaging tools.

Results: Systematic screen yielded 595 studies for appraisal. Of these, 22 total studies were selected for inclusion in the review, with findings summarized in a qualitative, descriptive fashion.

Conclusion: Fat and energy intake are associated with improved brain volume and development in premature infants. While breast milk intake and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation has been proven beneficial in term infants, the impact in preterm infants is less well understood.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Search strategy utilized for electronic database search
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) diagram of results of electronic database search, title, and abstract screening, as well as full-text review. Ineligible studies excluded
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Nutrition and the developing brain.
    Valentine CJ. Valentine CJ. Pediatr Res. 2020 Jan;87(2):190-191. doi: 10.1038/s41390-019-0650-y. Epub 2019 Oct 31. Pediatr Res. 2020. PMID: 31673115 No abstract available.

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