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Choline, an essential nutrient of vitamin B, reduces the risk of fetal brain development problems that can occur after maternal infections such as colds and the flu, according to a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
The results are critical because viruses in pregnant women have been badociated with fetal brain problems and mental disorders, including attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia.
"Mothers want to give their babies the best possible start in life," said Robert Freedman, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado's faculty of medicine. "Colds and flu are often unavoidable, even if the mother has been vaccinated against the flu. But colds and flu during pregnancy double the risk of future mental illness. More and more information shows that choline helps the baby's brain to develop properly. "
"We have found that higher levels of choline prevent fetal brain problems from developing even when the mother is infected. Choline supplements during pregnancy can have a beneficial effect for life for the infant. "
Researchers from the University of Colorado and the Denver Health Center prenatal clinic have badessed the relationship between maternal infection, C-reactive protein (CRP, a marker of maternal inflammation), and choline the mother.
The brain development of the fetus was determined by measuring the brain waves of the baby shortly after birth. The negative effects of maternal infections have been observed with a reduction in normal inhibition, also known as inhibition of response, from brain waves of the newborn to repeated sounds. In simple terms, the inhibition of the response is the ability to stop or delay an action and to be able to think rather than display impulsive behavior.
The results show that inhibition of newborn response decreased by 27% when mothers were infected, for example by a cold or flu, during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. However, this effect was prevented if the mother had higher choline levels during the first 16 weeks.
Parents also described their child's behavior at one year. These reports show that children whose mothers were infected and had lower levels of choline had significantly less ability to pay attention, play quietly, and cuddle with their parents. These effects did not occur if the mother had higher choline levels.
These behavioral characteristics were summarized in a self-regulation scale that was reduced by 28% in children of infected women with lower choline levels. Higher levels of choline have improved self-regulation in children of infected women at normal levels.
In addition, five of the 53 children whose mothers were infected (9.4%) had control levels in the bottom fifth percentile of a normal sample, compared to one of 83 children of non-mothers. infected. This effect did not occur if their mother had higher choline levels during pregnancy. Appropriate choline levels were found only in 25% of women, despite the incentives to consume foods containing more choline.
The body itself produces choline and is naturally present in certain foods, including liver, red meat and eggs. However, up to 75% of pregnant women consume less choline during pregnancy than is recommended (450 mg of choline a day). In addition, prenatal vitamins contain little or no at all. Supplements, available without a prescription and now recommended by the American Medical Association, can help pregnant women increase choline levels to protect their baby's development.
Source: University of Colorado Medical Campus at Anschutz
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