Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review

Women's nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children's brains and cognitive development. Folate and choline are methyl-donor nutrients and are important for closure of the neural tube during fetal development. They have also been associated with brain and cognitive development in children. Animal studies have observed that prenatal folate and choline supplementation is associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may have interactive effects on brain development. Although some human studies have reported associations between maternal folate and choline levels and child cognitive outcomes, results are not consistent, and no human studies have investigated the potential interactive effects of folate and choline. This lack of consistency could be due to differences in the methods used to assess folate and choline levels, the gestational trimester at which they were measured, and lack of consideration of potential confounding variables. This narrative review discusses and critically reviews current research examining the associations between maternal levels of folate and choline during pregnancy and brain and cognitive development in children. Directions for future research that will increase our understanding of the effects of these nutrients on children's neurodevelopment are discussed.

Automated summary

Women's nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children's brain and cognitive development. Folate and choline are important nutrients for the closure of the neural tube in fetal development and have been associated with brain and cognitive development in children. Animal studies have shown that prenatal supplementation of folate and choline is related to better cognitive outcomes in offspring, suggesting potential interactive effects on brain development. However, human studies have inconsistent results and have not explored the interactive effects of folate and choline. This narrative review discusses the associations between maternal folate and choline levels during pregnancy and brain and cognitive development in children, and suggests future research directions to increase understanding of the effects of these nutrients on children's neurodevelopment.