1. Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy may influence the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
2. The Western dietary pattern, characterized by high consumption of processed meats, sugars, and refined grains, was linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
3. The study utilized self-reported dietary data collected at 24 weeks of gestation and employed principal component analysis (PCA) to identify dietary patterns based on nutrient constituents.
4. The associations were validated in multiple independent cohorts, confirming the link between the Western dietary pattern and psychiatric disorders in children.
5. Lead study author, David Horner, emphasized the potential for targeted prenatal dietary interventions to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the role of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.
6. The study identified 15 mediating metabolites with potential protective or detrimental roles in neurodevelopment.
7. Associations were particularly pronounced in children with higher genetic predisposition and maternal prepregnancy body mass index, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary guidelines for pregnant women.

Source: Nature Metabolism