P3-03-02 - Relationships of maternal plasma pro-vitamin A carotenoids and childrenu2019s neurocognitive outcomes

• Main Author: Lai, Jun Shi
• Format: Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Morressier 01.01.2017
• DOI: 10.26226/morressier.5d5e5186bedcf39b76649818

Introduction:Pro-vitamin A carotenoids namely u03b1-, u03b2-carotene and u03b2-cryptoxanthin have potential rolesin neurocognitive development, but current literature on these carotenoids mainly focused on preventing cognitive decline in the elderly.This study examined the associations of maternal plasma pro-vitamin A carotenoids concentrations with offspring cognitive development up to 54 months in the GUSTO mother-offspring cohort study.Materials and Methods:Maternal plasma pro-vitamin A carotenoids concentrations at delivery were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. At age 24 months, the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) was used to assess childrenu2019s development for the following domains: cognitive, receptive and expressive language, and fine and gross motor. At age 54 months, the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2) was used to assess childrenu2019s verbal and non-verbal intelligence. Associations of maternal pro-vitamin A carotenoids with offspring cognitive development at each time point were examined in 419 mother-offspring pairs using linear regressions adjusted for confounders (e.g. maternal demographics, antenatal mental health and breastfeeding duration).Results:Median (IQR) maternal plasma concentrations (mg/L) were: u03b1-carotene 0.052 (0.032-0.081), u03b2-carotene 0.189 (0.134-0.286), and u03b2-cryptoxanthin 0.199 (0.123-0.304). In 24 months old infants, higher maternal u03b2-cryptoxanthin (per SD increment) were associated with higher scores in most of BSID-III domains: cognitive [u03b2 0.18, (0.08, 0.28) SD], receptive language [u03b2 0.17 (0.07, 0.27) SD], fine motor [u03b2 0.16 (0.06, 0.27) SD], and gross motor [u03b2 0.16 (0.06, 0.27) SD]. Additionally, a 1-SD increment in maternal u03b2-carotene concentrations were associated with 0.16 SD higher scores in BSID-III cognitive domain (95%: 0.04, 0.28), which was attenuated after adjusting for breastfeeding duration. No significant associations were observed between maternal u03b1-carotene concentrations and BSID-III in children at 24 months of age, or between maternal pro-vitamin A carotenoids and KBIT-2 in children at 54 months of age.Discussion:Our study provides novel data suggesting a role of maternal pro-vitamin A carotenoids, especially u03b2-cryptoxanthin, in offspring early cognitive development. This adds support to the importance of consuming sufficient amounts of red- and orange-coloured fruit and vegetables (rich sources of u03b2-cryptoxanthin and u03b2-carotene) during pregnancy. Further studies are required in other mother-offspring cohort with larger sample sizes, and intervention trials to confirm an effect of pro-vitamin A carotenoids on neurocognitive development.Conflict of interest:Fabian Yap, Peter Gluckman, Keith Godfrey and Yap Seng Chong have received reimbursement for speaking at conferences sponsored by companies selling nutritional products. Peter Gluckman, Keith Godfrey and Yap Seng Chong are part of an academic consortium that has received research funding from Abbott Nutrition, Nestlu00e9 and Danone. Other authors declared: 'no conflict of interest'.