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Early-life nutrition is associated with processing speed at age 5 in children born preterm with very low birth weight

Nicole Bando1,2, Julie Sato3,4, Margot J Taylor3,4,5,6,7

  • 1Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|May 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Early nutrition impacts cognitive development in preterm infants. Specific macronutrient and milk intakes in the first month are linked to processing speed at age five, offering potential for improved cognitive outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Developmental neuroscience
  • Pediatric health

Background:

  • Preterm infants often exhibit suboptimal processing speed, a critical skill for higher cognitive functions.
  • Understanding early nutritional influences is vital for supporting cognitive development in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early-life nutrition and processing speed at age five in children born preterm with very low birth weight.
  • To identify specific nutritional factors that may influence cognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of macronutrient and human milk (mother's own, donor) intake in 137 preterm infants.
  • Assessment of processing speed at age five using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-fourth edition Processing Speed Index.
  • Linear regression models were employed to explore nutritional associations with processing speed.

Main Results:

  • Sex-dependent associations were found between early protein, lipid, and energy intake and later processing speed.
  • In females, lower protein and energy intake correlated with higher processing speed.
  • Mother's own milk intake was positively associated, while donor milk intake was negatively associated with processing speed, irrespective of sex.

Conclusions:

  • Early postnatal nutrition significantly relates to processing speed at age five in very low birth weight preterm infants.
  • Optimizing early nutrition may enhance processing speed and improve long-term cognitive outcomes for preterm children.
  • Further research into sex-specific nutritional needs could refine interventions for this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
cognitionhuman milkmacronutrient

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