Neonatal Nutrition and Maternal Factors Research

Nutrition is vital, especially in the first couple weeks of life, as nutrition leads to weight gain. Without proper weight gain, newborns are at risk for delays in mental development.  

Investigators are examining the effects nutritional factors related to infant growth and development, especially related to human milk. They are also studying the effects early maternal conditions and maternal nutrition have on infant growth and development.

Faculty Focused on Neonatal Nutrition/Maternal Factors Research

Clinical/Translational Research:

• Jane P. Balint, MD
• Molly C. Dienhart, MD
• Sarah Keim, PhD

Latest Findings in Neonatal Nutrition and Maternal Factors Research

Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy and the Concentration of Fatty Acids in Breast Milk
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between depressive symptoms in pregnancy and the concentration of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in breast milk.  Findings suggest that depressive symptoms, even in the subclinical range, early in pregnancy are inversely associated with breast milk docosahexaenoic acid. This may have implications for the timing of screening and interventions for perinatal depression and the nutritional value of breast milk.

Access an abstract of this study: Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy and the Concentration of Fatty Acids in Breast Milk. J Hum Lact. 2012 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Epidemiology: The Changing Face of Preterm Birth
The occurrence of preterm births rose steadily from 9.4% of all pregnancies in the United States in 1981 to 12.8% in 2006, before declining slightly in 2007 and 2008. Most of the increase was attributable to increases in multiple gestations. Recent research has sought to understand this condition by evaluating its familial occurrence and both clinical and pathologic information to derive an etiologically homogeneous categorization.

Access an abstract of this study: Epidemiology: The Changing Face of Preterm Birth. Clin Perinatol. 2011 Sep;38(3):339-50. 

Maternal Preeclampsia and Neonatal Outcomes
This article reviews the current literature in the diagnosis and obstetrical management of preeclampsia, the outcomes of late-preterm infants, and potential strategies to optimize fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Access an abstract of this study: Maternal preeclampsia and neonatal outcomes. J Pregnancy. 2011;2011:214365.  

Does Breastfeeding and LCPUFA Intake During an Infant’s First Four Months Impact Cognitive Development?
The aim of this study was to examine infant feeding and the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) concentration of breast milk and formulas in relation to infant development. Investigators found no evidence of enhanced infant development related to the LCPUFA content of breast milk or formula consumed during the first four post-natal months.

Access an abstract of this study: Breastfeeding and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in the first 4 post-natal months and infant cognitive development: an observational study.  Matern Child Nutr. 2011 May 27. [Epub ahead of print]

Does Maternal Anxiety, Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms Impact Her Infant’s Cognitive Development?
This study’s objective was to examine the associations between maternal psychological health during pregnancy or postpartum and infant visual, language, motor, and overall cognitive development.  Investigators found that maternal trait anxiety, depressive symptoms and stress had little negative influence on infant cognitive development. In fact, moderate psychosocial distress may slightly accelerate motor development in particular, and some aspects of language.

Access an abstract of this study: A prospective study of maternal anxiety, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms in relation to infant cognitive development.  Early Hum Dev. 2011 May;87(5):373-80.