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

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2020

Journal

Pediatric research

Volume

87

Issue

2

DOI

10.1038/s41390-019-0508-3

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.

Comments

This is an open access PubMed Central article.

Peer Reviewed

1

Open Access

1

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