Choline continues to gain scientific attention for its potential role in prenatal health. A new study conducted in China, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition explored how maternal choline intake may support early cognitive and motor development during infancy.
The Study Overview: Investigating Choline’s Impact
The research team conducted a prospective cohort study involving 256 mother and child pairs in China. Pregnant women were recruited from the Obstetrics Department of the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University between 2023 and 2024. Dietary intake of choline and other nutrients was evaluated throughout pregnancy to better understand maternal nutrition patterns.
How Was Infant Development Measured?
After birth, researchers assessed infants at 1, 3, and 6 months of age. These evaluations included intelligence testing, motor skill assessments, and broader measures of mental and cognitive development. This approach offered a comprehensive view of early developmental progress.
Key Findings on Choline’s Benefits
Higher maternal choline intake was significantly associated with greater intelligence scores, more advanced motor development, and stronger cognitive performance at the 3 and 6 month checkpoints. While the study does not establish causation, it reinforces a growing body of evidence suggesting that adequate choline intake during pregnancy may support early neurodevelopment.
Why the Choline Gap is Important to Prenatal Health
One notable finding is the low intake level among participants. Only 1.56% of pregnant women met recommended dietary choline intake. This highlights a substantial nutrient gap and underscores the need for improved awareness and access to choline-rich nutrition during pregnancy.
Read the full study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41543550/
Learn More About Choline and Prenatal Nutrition
Balchem provides a wide range of science-based educational materials on choline, including research summaries, prenatal nutrition insights, and ingredient solutions to help close nutrient gaps. Explore the full collection of maternal nutrition resources here:
