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Inadequate maternal choline intake in late pregnancy is significantly associated with poorer early infant cognitive and developmental outcomes.
A prospective cohort study has highlighted a significant nutritional concern, showing that inadequate dietary choline intake during late pregnancy may be linked with early neurobehavioral development in infants.
The study recruited 256 mother–infant pairs from a tertiary maternity hospital. Maternal nutrient intake in late pregnancy was assessed using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Infant neurodevelopment was checked at 1, 3, and 6 months using the bayley scales of infant and toddler development (BSID-CR), focusing on intelligence scores, motor scores, mental development index (MDI), and psychomotor development index (PDI). Associations were analyzed using generalized estimating equations.
The findings revealed that median maternal choline intake was 343.35 mg/day, substantially below recommended levels, with only 1.56% of participants meeting the adequate intake (AI). Based on energy-adjusted choline intake, volunteers were segregated into four quartiles (Q1–Q4). Significant differences were noted across these groups in the trajectory of infant intelligence scores (P = 0.005), motor scores (P = 0.030), MDI (P = 0.004), and PDI (P = 0.007).
After adjusting for potential confounders, the associations remained significant for intelligence scores (P = 0.008), MDI (P = 0.008), and PDI (P = 0.016), indicating a consistent relationship between higher maternal choline intake and improved early cognitive and psychomotor outcomes. However, the association with motor scores was attenuated and no longer statistically significant (P = 0.085) after adjustment.
These results underscore that most pregnant women in late gestation are not achieving adequate choline intake, a nutrient essential for fetal brain development, neurotransmitter synthesis, and cell membrane integrity. The study reinforces the requisition for greater clinical awareness, dietary guidance, and potential nutrition interventions targeting choline intake during pregnancy. While the findings illustrate a significant association, the authors note that causal relationships cannot be established, and further large-scale and interventional studies are needed.
European Journal of Nutrition
Association of dietary choline intake in late pregnancy with the early neurobehavioral development of offspring
Yuwei Weng et al.
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