Associations of maternal zinc and magnesium with offspring learning abilities and cognitive development at 4 years in GUSTO

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Minerals deficiencies during pregnancy have been shown to be associated with poorer cognitive outcomes in offspring. This study aimed to investigate associations of maternal plasma zinc and magnesium concentrations with cognitive development in 4-year old children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcome cohort.

Methods: Maternal plasma zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured at 26–28 weeks’ gestation. The Lollipop test of school readiness, tests of working memory, number knowledge, receptive vocabulary, and phonological awareness were performed in children at 4 years. Associations were examined in 715 mother-offspring pairs using linear regressions adjusted for key confounders.

Results: Maternal plasma zinc and magnesium concentrations were 812 ± 144 µg/L and 19.9 ± 1.8 mg/L (mean±SD); 19% and 71% of mothers were zinc deficient and magnesium insufficient, respectively. After adjustment for multiple testing, higher maternal zinc concentrations (per SD increment) were associated with 0.35 higher scores in Lollipop subtest 2 of picture description and spatial identification (95% CI: 0.13, 0.58); higher maternal magnesium concentrations (per SD increment) were associated with 0.65 higher scores in Lollipop subtest 4 of letters and writing identification (95% CI: 0.23, 1.07).

Discussion: No significant associations were observed for other tests, suggesting little long term influences of maternal zinc and magnesium on child's cognitive development.

KEYWORDS:

• Zinc
• magnesium
• pregnancy
• cognition
• school readiness
• memory
• numeracy
• language
• preschool
• child

Acknowledgements

We will like to acknowledge the contribution of the GUSTO study group: Allan Sheppard, Amutha Chinnadurai, Anne Eng Neo Goh, Anqi Qiu, Arijit Biswas, Bee Wah Lee, Boon Long Quah, Borys Shuter, Chai Kiat Chng, Cheryl Ngo, Choon Looi Bong, Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, Claudia Chi, Cornelia Yin Ing Chee, Yam Thiam Daniel Goh, Doris Fok, E Shyong Tai, Elaine Tham, Elaine Quah Phaik Ling, Evelyn Chung Ning Law, Evelyn Xiu Ling Loo, Fabian Yap, Falk Mueller-Riemenschneider, George Seow Heong Yeo, Helen Chen, Heng Hao Tan, Hugo P S van Bever, Iliana Magiati, Inez Bik Yun Wong, Ivy Yee-Man Lau, Izzuddin Bin Mohd Aris, Jeevesh Kapur, Jenny L. Richmond, Jerry Kok Yen Chan, Joanna D. Holbrook, Joanne Yoong, Joao N. Ferreira., Jonathan Tze Liang Choo, Jonathan Y. Bernard, Joshua J. Gooley, Kenneth Kwek, Krishnamoorthy Niduvaje, Kuan Jin Lee, Leher Singh, Lieng Hsi Ling, Lin Lin Su, Ling-Wei Chen, Lourdes Mary Daniel, Marielle V. Fortier, Mark Hanson, Mary Rauff, Mei Chien Chua, Melvin Khee-Shing Leow, Mya Thway Tint, Neerja Karnani, Ngee Lek, Oon Hoe Teoh, P. C. Wong, Paulin Tay Straughan, Pratibha Agarwal, Queenie Ling Jun Li, Rob M. van Dam, Salome A. Rebello, Seang-Mei Saw, See Ling Loy, S. Sendhil Velan, Seng Bin Ang, Shang Chee Chong, Sharon Ng, Shiao-Yng Chan, Shu-E Soh, Sok Bee Lim, Stella Tsotsi, Chin-Ying Stephen Hsu, Sue Anne Toh, Swee Chye Quek, Victor Samuel Rajadurai, Walter Stunkel, Wayne Cutfield, Wee Meng Han, Wei Wei Pang, Yin Bun Cheung, Yiong Huak Chan and Yung Seng Lee.

Disclosure statement

FY, KMG and YSC have received reimbursement for speaking at conferences sponsored by companies selling nutritional products. KMG and YSC are part of an academic consortium that has received research funding from Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé and Danone.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation under its Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Programme and administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health’s National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Singapore under Grant [NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008; NMRC/TCR/012-NUHS/2014]. Additional funding is provided by the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science Technology and Research, and Nestec. KMG is supported by the National Institute for Health Research through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013), project EarlyNutrition under Grant [n°289346].

Notes on contributors

Jun S. Lai

Jun Si. Lai is a postdoctoral fellow with a research interest in maternal nutrition and child health.

Shirong Cai

Shirong Cai is a research scientist interested in linking psychology, neuroscience and sleep with metabolic conditions.

Lei Feng

Lei Feng is a principal investigator and research assistant professor involved in cognitive aging and dementia research.

Lynette P. Shek

Lynette P. Shek is a vice-dean and senior consultant specialising in allergy and respiratory medicine.

Fabian Yap

Fabian Yap is a head of department specialising in endocrinology medicine.

Kok Hian Tan

Kok Hian Tan is a professor interested in creating new ways of predicting, assessing and reducing risk factors contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Yap Seng Chong

Yap Seng Chong is a Dean with an interest in fetal growth and development, breastfeeding, and intrapartum and postpartum management issues.

Keith M. Godfrey

Keith M. Godfrey is a professor involved in research directed at preventing metabolic diseases through addressing their origins during early development.

Michael J. Meaney

Michael J. Meaney is a principal investigator specialising in biological psychiatry, neurology, and neurosurgery.

Anne Rifkin-Graboi

Anne Rifkin-Graboi is a senior research scientist with expertise in the development of early life memory and executive functioning.

Birit F.P. Broekman

Birit F.P. Broekman is a psychiatrist and principal investigator specialising in early cognitive development.

Mary F.F. Chong

Mary F.F. Chong is an assistant professor and principal investigator interested in maternal and infant nutrition, appetite regulation and eating behaviours.