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Published on: November 20, 2015
Impact of nutrition on brain development and its neuroprotective implications following preterm birth
Kristin Keunen1, Ruurd M van Elburg2, Frank van Bel1
11] Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands [2] Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Early nutrition is crucial for preterm infant brain development and maturation. Specific nutrients may offer neuroprotection against white matter injury by modulating inflammation and the gut-brain axis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Neurodevelopmental science
- Pediatric neurology
Background:
- Early postnatal nutrition significantly impacts brain growth and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.
- Nutritional strategies may offer neuroprotection against white matter injury, a common complication in preterm infants.
- Inflammation and infection are key factors in the pathogenesis of white matter injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of nutrition in brain development and maturation of preterm infants.
- To investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of specific nutritional components.
- To examine the influence of nutrition on the microbiome-gut-brain axis and its impact on brain health.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nutrition, brain development, and white matter injury in preterm infants.
- Analysis of studies investigating immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of nutrients.
- Exploration of research on the microbiome-gut-brain axis and its modulation by nutritional components.
Main Results:
- Early nutrient intake influences brain growth, maturation, and long-term neurodevelopment.
- Nutritional components with immunomodulatory effects may protect against white matter injury.
- Probiotics, prebiotics, and amino acids (e.g., glutamine) show potential for neuroprotection and reducing infectious morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal nutrition is vital for optimal brain development in preterm infants.
- Specific nutritional interventions may offer neuroprotection by targeting inflammation, infection, and the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
- Further research into targeted nutritional strategies is warranted to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Abstract:
The impact of nutrition on brain development in preterm infants has been increasingly appreciated. Early postnatal growth and nutrient intake have been demonstrated to influence brain growth and maturation with subsequent effects on neurodevelopment that persist into childhood and adolescence. Nutrition could also potentially protect against injury. Inflammation and perinatal infection play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of white matter injury, the most common pattern of brain injury in preterm infants. Therefore, nutritional components with immunomodulatory and/or anti-inflammatory effects may serve as neuroprotective agents. Moreover, growing evidence supports the existence of a microbiome-gut-brain axis. The microbiome is thought to interact with the brain through immunological, endocrine, and neural pathways. Consequently, nutritional components that may influence gut microbiota may also exert beneficial effects on the developing brain. Based on these properties, probiotics, prebiotic oligosaccharides, and certain amino acids are potential candidates for neuroprotection. In addition, the amino acid glutamine has been associated with a decrease in infectious morbidity in preterm infants. In conclusion, early postnatal nutrition is of major importance for brain growth and maturation. Additionally, certain nutritional components might play a neuroprotective role against white matter injury, through modulation of inflammation and infection, and may influence the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
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