Effect of early nutrition on processing in low birth weight children

Early postnatal nutrition is linked to processing speed in very low birth weight preterm children during the early years, suggesting the possibility for improved cognitive outcomes.

This study sought to explore the link between nutrition during the postnatal period and cognitive processing speed in children who are born preterm.

The study included 137 children born preterm and with very low birth weight who were part of a nutrition feeding trial. Their consumption of macronutrients and human milk (including the mother's own and donor milk) was assessed. At age 5, their cognitive processing speed was measured with the help of the Processing Speed Index of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)-IV. Linear regression was used to examine the association between nutrition during the early postnatal phase and the processing speed.

The children in the study had an average gestational age of 28.1 weeks (SD 2.5), and an average birth weight of 1036 grams. At the time of assessment, their average age was 5.7 years (SD 0.2). 

Sex-specific associations were found between nutrition in the first postnatal month and processing speed at age 5. Lower intake of protein (per 0.1 g/k per day: -0.88, 95% CI: -1.53, -0.23) and energy (per 10 kcal/kg per day: -2.38, 95% CI: -4.70, -0.05) correlated to higher processing speed scores in girls. Additionally, increased provision of mother's milk was positively correlated with processing speed (per 10% increase: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.37), while increased donor milk intake was negatively correlated, with no perceived sex differences.

Nutrition in the first post-partum period was associated with processing speed at age 5 in preterm children with very low weight.