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Antioxidant vitamin status during pregnancy in relation to cognitive development in the first two years of life

Ke Chen1, Xuan Zhang, Xiao-ping Wei

  • 1Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China. surgemail@163.com

Early Human Development
|March 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Maternal antioxidant vitamin status, particularly vitamin E, during pregnancy positively impacts children's cognitive and motor development. Adequate vitamin E transfer across the placenta is crucial for preventing developmental delays.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is critical for fetal development.
  • Antioxidant vitamins play vital roles in cellular protection and development.
  • The impact of specific antioxidant vitamins on early childhood neurodevelopment requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal and cord blood levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) and intellectual development in early childhood.
  • To determine the influence of vitamin E transfer rate on developmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • 150 paired maternal-neonatal subjects were recruited.
  • Serum concentrations of vitamins A, E, and C were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.
  • Child intellectual development was assessed using the Gesell Development Schedules (GDS) at two years of age.

Main Results:

  • Higher cord serum vitamin E levels correlated with improved motor and adaptive development.
  • Cord serum vitamin A and E levels positively influenced motor and overall developmental quotients.
  • Placental vitamin E transport rate was linked to language, social, and motor development, and acted as a protective factor against developmental delays.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal vitamin A and E status, along with placental vitamin E transfer efficiency at delivery, positively influence children's cognitive and behavioral development.
  • These findings highlight the importance of adequate antioxidant vitamin levels during pregnancy for optimal child neurodevelopment.
Abstract

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