Maternal prenatal nut and seafood consumption and child neuropsychological function from 4 to 15 years of age: a population-based cohort study.
Pinar-Martí, A., N. Ayala-Aldana, M. Ruiz-Rivera, N. Lertxundi, M. Subiza-Pérez, L. González-Safont, J. Vioque, I. Riaño-Galán, C. Rodríguez-Dehli, L. Iglesias-Vázquez, V. Arija, S. Fernández-Barrés, D. Romaguera, V. Pascual-Rubio, A. Fabregat-Sanjuan, D. Healy, X. Basagaña, M. Vrijheid, M. Guxens, M. Foraster, J. Julvez, 2025. Maternal prenatal nut and seafood consumption and child neuropsychological function from 4 to 15 years of age: a population-based cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. S0002-9165(25)00249-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.04.032.
Background. Understanding the role of maternal diet in early brain development is critical, as pregnancy represents a period of significant vulnerability and growth for the developing brain. Objectives. This study aims to assess the association between maternal nuts, total seafood, and large fatty fish consumption during pregnancy and offspring neuropsychological function ≤15 y, considering the potential mediation of omega-3 fatty acids. Methods. This study was part of The Spanish Childhood and Environment birth cohort, following 1737 mother–child pairs from pregnancy to age 15. Maternal diet was evaluated using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, whereas children’s neuropsychological function was measured through standardized computer-based tests. Attention (hit reaction time and its variability, HRT and HRT-SE) was measured with the Conners’ Kiddie Continuous Performance Test and the Attention Network Test. Working memory (detectability in 2-back, d2′, and 3-back tasks, d3′) was evaluated using the N-back task. Fluid intelligence was assessed with Raven’s Progressive Matrices and the Test of Primary Mental Abilities. Linear mixed-effects regression models assessed the association of nuts, seafood and large fatty fish with neuropsychological outcomes, whereas generalized structural equation modeling was used for mediation analyses. Results. Higher maternal nut consumption was significantly linked to improved attention [HRT-SE β = –0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.09, –0.00] and working memory (d2′ β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.09, and d3′ β = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.11) in offspring. Greater consumption of large fatty fish was associated with better attention (HRT-SE β = –0.06, 95% CI: –0.10, –0.02; and HRT β = –0.04, 95% CI: –0.08, –0.00), and fluid intelligence (β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.13). Omega-3 fatty acids mediated 8%–14% of these effects on attention. Conclusions. Maternal diet at pregnancy and omega-3 intake may support long-term cognitive development in children and adolescents.
