Early nutritional influences on brain regions related to processing speed in children born preterm: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

Nicole Law, Michelle R Asbury, Christopher Tomlinson, Nicole Bando, Sharon Unger, Julie Sato, Helen M Branson, Deborah L O'Connor, Marlee M Vandewouw, Margot J Taylor

Journal: JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition 2024;48(7):778-786

PMID: 39007723

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Processing speed is a foundational skill supporting intelligence and executive function, areas often delayed in preterm-born children. The impact of early-life nutrition on gray matter facilitating processing speed for this vulnerable population is unknown.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV Processing Speed Index were acquired in forty 5-year-old children born preterm with very low birth weight. Macronutrient (grams per kilogram per day) and mother's milk (percentage of feeds) intakes were prospectively collected in the first postnatal month and associations between early-life nutrition and the primary outcome of brain regions supporting processing speed were investigated.

RESULTS

Children had a mean (SD) gestational age of 27.8 (1.8) weeks and 45% were male. Macronutrient intakes were unrelated, but mother's milk was positively related, to greater volumes in brain regions, including total cortical gray matter, cingulate gyri, and occipital gyri.

CONCLUSION

First postnatal month macronutrient intakes showed no association, but mother's milk was positively associated, with volumetric measures of total and regional cortical gray matter related to processing speed in preterm-born children. This exploratory analysis suggests early-life mother's milk supports processing speed by impacting structural underpinnings. Further research is needed on this potential strategy to improve preterm outcomes.

Address: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Paediatrics, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Paediatrics, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2669

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Female, Male, Child, Preschool, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Infant, Premature, Brain, Milk, Human, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Very Low Birth Weight, Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Gray Matter, Gestational Age, Prospective Studies, Nutrients, Cognition, Processing Speed