Nutrition and pregnancy

Quantity and quality of nutrients are essential to infant and child development.  Many studies on nutrition have associated poor prenatal and early post-natal nutrition or malnutrition with a variety of developmental outcomes. Preterm and low-birth-weight (LBW) infants are especially vulnerable and more likely to experience some of these problems:

• growth retardation (weight, height, head size)
• delayed psychosocial development
• cognitive, educational and/or behavioural problems
• an increased risk of later psychiatric disorders

There is some evidence that the adverse effects of poor early nutrition can be reduced. Nutrient-enriched formulas have been shown to reduce motor and mental developmental deficits in preterm and LBW infants in the first 18 months of life. Although limited, psychosocial stimulation of growth-restricted infants helps improve their cognitive abilities. Other evidence supports the fact that LBW infants who are fed their mother’s milk, compared to those fed bovine-based formula, have better short-term visual and developmental outcomes, although variables such as daily intake and duration of breastfeeding should also be considered.

While it is essential to improve preterm and LBW infants’ development, research should also focus on the prevention of premature and low-weight births.