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Updated: May 9, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Improving the neurodevelopmental outcomes of low-birthweight infants
Maria Makrides1, Amanda Anderson, Robert A Gibson
1Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Insights
Nutrient supplementation may improve neurodevelopment in low birthweight (LBW) infants, but evidence is limited. Further research is needed to confirm benefits and optimal strategies for LBW babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Low birthweight (LBW) infants exhibit poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes than term infants.
- Nutritional deprivation during the perinatal period is a key factor contributing to LBW and subsequent cognitive deficits.
- Common nutrient deficiencies in LBW infants include protein, energy, iron, zinc, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing evidence on the impact of nutrient supplementation on the neurodevelopment of low birthweight infants.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of various nutritional interventions in improving cognitive outcomes for LBW neonates.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of intervention trials examining nutrient supplementation in LBW infants.
- Analysis of studies focusing on neurodevelopmental outcomes and cognitive assessments.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence currently supports the hypothesis that nutritional supplementation significantly improves neurodevelopment in LBW infants.
- Many existing studies are constrained by small sample sizes and methodological limitations, hindering definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Further large-scale, rigorously designed intervention trials with long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up are essential.
- Optimal nutritional supplements and precise timing of administration for LBW infants require further investigation.
Abstract:
Infants born with low birthweight (LBW) have poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes compared with their term counterparts with appropriate weight for gestational age. The perinatal period is a time of high energy and high nutrient needs, and any process, such as preterm birth, poor nutrition or placental insufficiency, that interrupts the concentrated flow of nutrients to the fetus may result in babies with LBW. Therefore, it makes logical sense that at least part of the cognitive deficits may be explained by nutritional deprivation. The nutrients commonly deficient in LBW infants include protein and energy and micronutrients such as iron, zinc and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this review, we aimed to determine the effect of nutrient supplementation on neurodevelopment in LBW infants. While few trials have supported the hypothesis that nutritional supplementation improves neurodevelopment, many studies are limited by sample size and methodological shortcomings. Further large-scale rigorously designed intervention trials, with long-term neurodevelopment follow-up, are required to determine the optimal nutritional supplements and the timing of their administration to LBW infants.
