Maternal One-Carbon Metabolism during the Periconceptional Period and Human Foetal Brain Growth: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The maternal environment during the periconceptional period influences foetal growth and development, in part, via epigenetic mechanisms moderated by one-carbon metabolic pathways. During embryonic development, one-carbon metabolism is involved in brain development and neural programming. Derangements in one-carbon metabolism increase (i) the short-term risk of embryonic neural tube-related defects and (ii) long-term childhood behaviour, cognition, and autism spectrum disorders. Here we investigate the association between maternal one-carbon metabolism and foetal and neonatal brain growth and development. Database searching resulted in 26 articles eligible for inclusion. Maternal vitamin B6, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and choline were not associated with foetal and/or neonatal head growth. First-trimester maternal plasma folate within the normal range (> 17 nmol/L) associated with increased foetal head size and head growth, and high erythrocyte folate (1538–1813 nmol/L) with increased cerebellar growth, whereas folate deficiency (< 7 nmol/L) associated with a reduced foetal brain volume. Preconceptional folic acid supplement use and specific dietary patterns (associated with increased B vitamins and low homocysteine) increased foetal head size. Although early pregnancy maternal folate appears to be the most independent predictor of foetal brain growth, there is insufficient data to confirm the link between maternal folate and offspring risks for neurodevelopmental diseases.

Maternal obesity during pregnancy leads to derangements in one-carbon metabolism and the gut microbiota: implications for fetal development and offspring wellbeing

“…Moreover, elevated homocysteine is associated with miscarriages, gestational hypertension and preterm birth [13]. Therefore, pregnant women are strongly recommended to consume J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f micronutrient-rich foods and use folic acid supplementation from as early as 5-6 months before conception up to 12 weeks of gestation, preferably continuing till the end of pregnancy, to enhance fertility, prevent pregnancy complications and reduce the risk of impairments to fetal development [24,[33][34][35].…”

First Trimester Maternal Homocysteine and Embryonic and Fetal Growth: The Rotterdam Periconception Cohort

“…One-carbon metabolism is also involved in brain development and neural programming, and derangements of the pathway increase the short-term risk of embryonic neural tube-related defects and long-term childhood behavior, cognition, and autism spectrum disorders [ 41 ]. As reported in our recent review, elevated homocysteine is associated with adult cognitive impairment, but much less is known about its role in prenatal head growth and development [ 41 ]. Here, we show that homocysteine is not associated with head growth at any stage of pregnancy.…”

The Effect of Dietary Methyl-Donor Intake and Other Lifestyle Factors on Cancer Patients in Hungary

“…Additionally, the utility of RDAs depends on several factors such as inflammation, diseases which decrease absorption, and SNPs that affect enzyme function. Moreover, to estimate the utility of methyl-donors is more complicated because the source of B vitamins for example is not only nutrition and supplementation as in the case of choline and methionine but also the gut microbiota [ 39 ].…”