Enteral micronutrient supplementation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm or low birth weight infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #micronutrients #dietary-supplements #infant-low-birth-weight #infant-premature

Enteral micronutrient supplementation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm or low birth weight infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Liu et al., 2025 | Matern Child Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Liu Yakun, Jin Shaobin, ... Huang Shungen. Enteral micronutrient supplementation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm or low birth weight infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Matern Child Nutr. 2025-Jan;21(1):e13756. doi:10.1111/mcn.13756

Abstract

The association of enteral micronutrient supplementation and the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm or low birth weight (LBW) infants is controversial. This research was prospectively registered (CRD42023454034). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, ClinicalTrials. gov, and the Cochrane Library for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing any enteral micronutrients supplementation with placebo or no supplementation in preterm or LBW infants. The primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), with secondary outcomes involving various neurodevelopmental tests and disabilities. There was no evidence of an association between enteral micronutrients supplementation and the risk of NDI (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93-1.14; moderate certainty evidence). There was no evidence that the supplemented groups enhanced cognitive (MD, 0.65; 95% CI, -0.37 to 1.67; low certainty evidence), language (SMD, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.09; moderate certainty evidence), or motor scores (SMD, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.15; very low certainty evidence) or IQ (SMD, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.53 to 0.13; very low certainty evidence). Subgroup analysis showed that multiple micronutrients supplementation improved expressive language score (MD, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.39-2.45), and zinc supplementation enhanced fine motor score (SMD, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.98-2.43). The overall heterogeneity was low. This study demonstrates that enteral micronutrient supplementation is associated with little or no benefits in neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm or LBW infants. Well-designed RCTs are needed to further ascertain these associations.

Key Findings

Well-designed RCTs are needed to further ascertain these associations.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Micronutrients
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Enteral Nutrition
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Child Development

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09