Maternal prenatal nut and seafood consumption and child neuropsychological function from 4 to 15 years of age: a population-based cohort study
Background: Understanding the role of maternal diet in early brain development is critical, as pregnancy represents a period of significant vulnerability and growth for the developing brain. Objectives: This study aims to assess the association between maternal nuts, total seafood, and large fatty f...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Pompeu Fabra |
| Repositorio: | Repositorio Digital de la UPF |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:repositori.upf.edu:10230/70742 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10230/70742 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.04.032 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Maternal diet Neuropsychological development Nuts and seafood Omega-3 fatty acids Pregnancy |
| Sumario: | Background: Understanding the role of maternal diet in early brain development is critical, as pregnancy represents a period of significant vulnerability and growth for the developing brain. Objectives: This study aims to assess the association between maternal nuts, total seafood, and large fatty fish consumption during pregnancy and offspring neuropsychological function ≤15 y, considering the potential mediation of omega-3 fatty acids. Methods: This study was part of The Spanish Childhood and Environment birth cohort, following 1737 mother-child pairs from pregnancy to age 15. Maternal diet was evaluated using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, whereas children's neuropsychological function was measured through standardized computer-based tests. Attention (hit reaction time and its variability, HRT and HRT-SE) was measured with the Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test and the Attention Network Test. Working memory (detectability in 2-back, d2', and 3-back tasks, d3') was evaluated using the N-back task. Fluid intelligence was assessed with Raven's Progressive Matrices and the Test of Primary Mental Abilities. Linear mixed-effects regression models assessed the association of nuts, seafood and large fatty fish with neuropsychological outcomes, whereas generalized structural equation modeling was used for mediation analyses. Results: Higher maternal nut consumption was significantly linked to improved attention [HRT-SE β = -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.09, -0.00] and working memory (d2' β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.09, and d3' β = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.11) in offspring. Greater consumption of large fatty fish was associated with better attention (HRT-SE β = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.10, -0.02; and HRT β = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.08, -0.00), and fluid intelligence (β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.13). Omega-3 fatty acids mediated 8%-14% of these effects on attention. Conclusions: Maternal diet at pregnancy and omega-3 intake may support long-term cognitive development in children and adolescents. |
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