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Nutrients
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Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment
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Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2022) | Viewed by 17523

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jordi Julvez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
Interests: neuropsychological development; human cognition; nutrition; epidemiology; environmental sciences; child health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For this Special Issue, we would like to invite papers about the effects of nutrients on child neurodevelopment. It could be nutritional exposures during pregnancy, childhood and/or adolescence in observational studies. However, interventional studies are also very welcomed. Brain function could be assessed by neuropsychological tests, behavioral and emotional rating scales, or neuroimaging measurements

Many questions about the role nutrition in the developing brain are still unsolved, such as which lipids are positively or adversely associated with brain function, whether lipid nutrients can be adequately acquired from the diet, or what effects they exert when administered as a supplement in randomized trials. What other nutrients are also important to enhance brain development and function. Furthermore, we are also interested in the potential harmful effects of the ingestion of ultra-processed foods with human brain development and function, only recently have been added this as a hot topic of research in child cognition. All these studies may include biomarker measurements or genetic markers of specific nutrient metabolism or biological pathway.

We welcome different types of submissions, including original research articles and up-to-date reviews (systematic reviews and meta-analyses).

Dr. Jordi Julvez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nutrition
  • child neurodevelopment
  • biomarkers
  • cognitive function

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 896 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Processed Foods and Drinks Consumption Is Associated with Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents
by Marta Reales-Moreno, Pietro Tonini, Rosa M. Escorihuela, Montserrat Solanas, Sílvia Fernández-Barrés, Dora Romaguera and Oren Contreras-Rodríguez
Nutrients 2022, 14(22), 4831; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224831 - 15 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6390
Abstract
Adolescents show one of the highest rates of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPF) consumption, and studies indicate an association between their consumption and internalizing problems. We aim to investigate whether UPF consumption associates with dysfunctions in other psychosocial domains, as well as sex [...] Read more.
Adolescents show one of the highest rates of ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPF) consumption, and studies indicate an association between their consumption and internalizing problems. We aim to investigate whether UPF consumption associates with dysfunctions in other psychosocial domains, as well as sex effects. In 560 Spanish adolescents (14–17 years old), we assessed the UPF products consumed in the previous day, fruits and vegetables consumption (servings/day), and physical activity (days/week). Psychosocial functioning (total and subscales) was assessed through the Pediatric Symptom Checklist–Youth self-report. Associations between UPF and psychosocial functioning were assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for sex, age, fruits and vegetables consumption, and physical activity. Sex-specific associations were also explored. Participants reported a daily consumption of 7.72 UPF servings per day, with male adolescents showing higher consumption than female adolescents. Consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity levels were lower than recommended. Psychosocial impairment was present in 26.2% of the participants. Higher UPF consumption was associated with higher presence of depressive symptoms and internalizing and externalizing problems in the whole sample and in male adolescents. The present study supports previous studies suggesting that UPF consumption may interact with mental health problems and indicates that these effects may go beyond internalizing problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment)
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15 pages, 840 KiB  
Article
Circulating Levels of Short-Chain Fatty Acids during Pregnancy and Infant Neurodevelopment
by Carmen Hernández-Martínez, Josefa Canals, Núria Voltas, Francisco Martín-Luján and Victoria Arija
Nutrients 2022, 14(19), 3946; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193946 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2439
Abstract
Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) play a key role in the gut microbiota–brain crosstalk regulating the main neurodevelopmental processes during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal relationship between prenatal levels of the main SCFAs in maternal serum and [...] Read more.
Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) play a key role in the gut microbiota–brain crosstalk regulating the main neurodevelopmental processes during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal relationship between prenatal levels of the main SCFAs in maternal serum and infant cognitive development and temperament on day 40 postpartum after adjusting for several pre-, peri- and post-natal confounders. Methods: A sample of 357 healthy mother–infant pairs were followed from the beginning of pregnancy to 40 days after birth. Serum SCFA concentrations were assessed in the first and third trimester of pregnancy by LC-MS/MS; and socio-demographic, nutritional, and psychological variables were collected. At 40 days, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III and the Early Infancy Temperament Questionnaire were administered. Results: Lower serum levels of acetic, butyric and isobutyric acid, mainly during the first trimester, were related to better language and psychomotor development and, in the case of butyric acid, better intensity behavior in infants. Medium levels of propionic acid were related to better scores for development, mood and temperament. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in a community sample of healthy pregnant women from a Mediterranean region of northern Spain, lower serum levels of SCFAs, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, seem to be related to better infant neurodevelopment Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment)
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15 pages, 1299 KiB  
Article
Impact of Early Nutrient Intake and First Year Growth on Neurodevelopment of Very Low Birth Weight Newborns
by Rasa Brinkis, Kerstin Albertsson-Wikland, Rasa Tamelienė, Ilona Aldakauskienė, Inesa Rimdeikienė, Vitalija Marmienė, Kastytis Šmigelskas and Rasa Verkauskienė
Nutrients 2022, 14(18), 3682; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183682 - 6 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1811
Abstract
Optimal nutrient intake ensuring better neurodevelopment for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between early (first 28 days) nutritional intake, first year growth, and neurodevelopment. In total, 120 VLBW infants were [...] Read more.
Optimal nutrient intake ensuring better neurodevelopment for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between early (first 28 days) nutritional intake, first year growth, and neurodevelopment. In total, 120 VLBW infants were included into the study. A group of 95 infants completed follow-up to 12 months of corrected gestational age (CGA). Nutrient intake was assessed, and weight, length, and head circumference (HC) were measured weekly until discharge and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of CGA. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 12 months of CGA. Two groups—extremely preterm (EP) and very/moderately preterm (VP)—were compared. Growth before discharge was slower in the EP group than the VP group. At 12 months, there was no difference in anthropometric characteristics or neurodevelopmental scores between the groups. Higher carbohydrate intake during the first 28 days was the single significant predictor for better cognitive scores only in the EP group (βs = 0.60, p = 0.017). Other nutrients and growth before discharge were not significant for cognitive and motor scores in either group in multivariable models, whereas post-discharge HC growth was associated with both cognitive and motor scores in the VP group. Monitoring intake of all nutrients and both pre-discharge and post-discharge growth is essential for gaining knowledge about individualized nutrition for optimal neurodevelopment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment)
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Review

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13 pages, 399 KiB  
Review
Amino Acids, B Vitamins, and Choline May Independently and Collaboratively Influence the Incidence and Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
by Laurel Jennings and Raedeh Basiri
Nutrients 2022, 14(14), 2896; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142896 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6220
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of variable severity, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. In 2018, the incidence of ASD was 2.4 times higher than estimated in 2000. Behavior and [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of variable severity, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. In 2018, the incidence of ASD was 2.4 times higher than estimated in 2000. Behavior and brain development abnormalities are present in the complex disorder of ASD. Nutritional status plays a key role in the incidence and severity of the core symptoms of ASD. The aim of this study was to review the available peer-reviewed studies that evaluated the relationship between amino acids, choline, B vitamins, and ASD incidence and/or severity of symptoms. Through examining plasma profiles, urine samples, and dietary intake, researchers found that low choline, abnormal amino acid, and low B vitamin levels were present in children with ASD compared to those without ASD. The evidence supports the need for future research that implements simultaneous supplementation of all essential nutrients in individuals with ASD and among prenatal mothers. Future evidence could lead to scientific breakthroughs, ultimately reducing the rates of ASD incidence and severity of symptoms by applying nutritional interventions in at-risk populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Child Neurodevelopment)
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