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Postnatal polyunsaturated fatty acids associated with larger preterm brain tissue volumes and better outcomes
Daphne Kamino1, Colin Studholme2, Mengyuan Liu2
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Specific polyunsaturated fatty acids impact preterm infant brain growth, with higher docosahexaenoic acid linked to larger brain volumes. These larger brain regions correlate with better language and motor skills in early childhood.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroscience
- Nutritional science
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Limited research exists on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and preterm brain development.
- Emerging evidence suggests PUFAs may influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between postnatal PUFA levels and brain growth in preterm neonates.
- To explore the relationship between brain volumes and neurodevelopmental outcomes at preschool age.
Main Methods:
- Sixty preterm neonates (<32 weeks gestational age) underwent MRI scans near birth and near term.
- Red blood cell fatty acid content was measured, and neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 30-36 months corrected age.
Main Results:
- Higher near-birth docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels correlated with larger cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, and brainstem volumes.
- Higher near-term DHA levels were associated with larger deep gray matter, cerebellar, and brainstem volumes.
- Lower near-birth linoleic acid (LA) levels correlated with larger white matter volume.
- Larger brain volumes at term age predicted improved language and motor scores at preschool age.
Conclusions:
- PUFA levels exhibit time-dependent associations with specific brain region growth in preterm infants.
- Adequate PUFA intake is crucial for optimal brain development and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Early nutritional interventions may positively influence brain growth and functional outcomes in preterm populations.
Abstract:
BackgroundHuman studies investigating the link between postnatal polyunsaturated fatty acids and preterm brain growth are limited, despite emerging evidence of potential effects on outcomes.MethodsSixty preterm neonates <32 weeks gestational age with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning at near-birth and near-term age were assessed for brain tissue volumes, including cortical gray matter, white matter, deep gray matter, cerebellum, brainstem, and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid. Red blood cell fatty acid content was evaluated within 1 week of each MRI scan. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 30-36 months corrected age was assessed.ResultsAdjusting for potential confounders, higher near-birth docosahexaenoic acid levels are associated with larger cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, and brainstem volumes and higher near-term levels with larger deep gray matter, cerebellar, and brainstem volumes at near-term age; lower near-birth linoleic acid levels are correlated with larger white matter volume at near-term age. By 30-36 months corrected age, larger cortical and deep gray matter, cerebellar, and brainstem volumes by term age are associated with improved language scores and larger cerebellar and brainstem volumes with improved motor scores.ConclusionSpecific polyunsaturated fatty acid levels have differential and time-dependent associations with brain region growth. Larger brain volumes are associated with improved outcomes at preschool age.
