The role of micronutrients in maternal mood and child neurodevelopment

Date
2013-04-10
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Abstract
A key factor in the prevention and treatment of perinatal depression may be to improve overall micronutrient intake in pregnant women, which also appears to be fundamental to child cognitive and behavioural development. From the global literature, seven conceptual models helped to interpret the mechanism(s) by which micronutrients might influence mental health function. Further review of the literature revealed credible links between nutrient deficiency and mood for folate, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. In the analysis of a longitudinal pregnancy cohort called the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition study, women with lower depression scores had higher mean intakes of selenium (p = 0.0015) and omega-3s (p = 0.01), while women with higher depression scores were less likely to have been born in Canada (p = 0.01), more likely to have greater number of chronic conditions (p = 0.05) and stressful life events during pregnancy (p = 0.02), and lower prenatal and postnatal support (p = 0.0043 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Adjusting for covariates and nutrients associated with postpartum depression, women with high prenatal depression scores had increased odds of postpartum depressive symptoms (second and third trimester OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.55 - 7.01, p = 0.004 and OR = 4.26, 95 CI = 2.05 - 8.85, p < 0.0001, respectively), while prenatal supplemental selenium (per 10 µg, OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.74 - 0.78, p = 0.0019) and postnatal social support (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78 - 0.97, p = 0.0015) were protective. For child neurodevelopment, micronutrients are crucial to neuronal function and synaptic plasticity, and ultimately, brain health and mental function. A systematic review found perinatal intake of multi-micronutrients and n-3 fatty acids had some positive effect on child neurodevelopment, but the results were inconclusive, and more research was needed. Overall findings indicated multi-micronutrients may confer benefits to mental health in pregnant women, and to child behavioural and neurocognitive function.
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Keywords
Epidemiology, Mental Health, Nutrition
Citation
Leung, B. M. (2013). The role of micronutrients in maternal mood and child neurodevelopment (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28334