NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Objective: To update information on nutritional deficiencies & developmental disabilities.

Methods: Synopsis of review of literature.

Results: Interplay between nutrition, brain & developmental disabilities is complex. Under-nutrition & protein deprivation influences IQ, behaviour, motor and cognitive performance. Trace elements, aminoacids, quality of nutrition & genetic factors may cause structural/functional abnormalities. Iron deficiency impacts unfolding of mental & motor processes through enzyme dysfunction, neurotransmission & myelination. Recent data indicate subtle auditory/visual & autonomic influences. Iodine, folate, B12, pantothenic acid, tocopherol deficiency can influence embryogenesis. The role of folate in preventing primary and secondary neural tube defects is a great public health advance. Neural tube defects, a severe disability (incidence 1–8/1000 live births) reveals primary risk reduction by (0.13) & secondary reduction (0.35), but also reduces risk of brain tumors. MTHFR gene interactions are interesting in this regard. Iodine deficiency causes preventable mental retardation, a gigantic global burden, scope of reduction of brain damage by iodine supplementation and neonatal screening. TH is an important epigenetic factor resulting in stunting, cretinism and spastic deafmutism. Taurine and zinc influence maturation of visual function. Essential fatty acids, n-3 FA diets, are important for neonatal nutrition and brain function. Our studies demonstrated vitamin E deficiency in 60% moderate PEM, 80% subjects had fine motor dysfunction. Vitamin E supplementation reversed both the tocopherol level and motor deficits. AVED, cystic fibrosis, malabsorption produce clinical vitamin E deficiency.

Copper excess or reduction results in Wilsons/Menke's disease. Zinc deficiency produces mental subnormality & stunting. Specific Vitamins, trace metals function as coenzymes, cofactors, and therapy substitutes in inborn errors of metabolism. Biotin in biotinidase deficiency and biotin responsive seizures. Pyridoxine deficiency, dependency cause seizures and mental sub-normality. Thiamine, riboflavin, deficiencies cause specific neurologic syndromes. Mitochondrial disorders, fatty acid oxidation deficits utilize vitamins for halting neurological decline.

Nutrition can influence gene expression in etiology of preventable disabilities.