Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Nutrients Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition in Women".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 April 2026 | Viewed by 6939

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Megumi Haruna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Interests: developmental origins of health and disease; perinatal outcomes; maternal nutrition; prevention of low birth weight; early life nutrition, fetal growth and development; healthy lifestyle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Malshani Lakshika Pathirathna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant

1. Department of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1, Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
2. Department of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Interests: maternal nutrition; micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy; fetal growth and development; low birth weight; breastfeeding

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a critical determinant of perinatal outcomes and the long-term well-being of both the mother and the newborn. Recent evidence emphasizes the role of maternal nutrition in fetal programming and metabolic health throughout the course of life. Implementing effective maternal and infant nutritional strategies can significantly enhance perinatal health, reduce disparities, and help prevent non-communicable diseases throughout life. Maternal dietary supplementation, micronutrient fortification, dietary counseling for pregnant women, breastfeeding promotion, and complementary feeding methods are recognized early-life dietary interventions aimed at optimizing maternal and newborn health. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research on early-life nutrition, its impact on maternal and newborn outcomes, and its long-term health and developmental implications. This issue aims to enhance scientific knowledge about early-life nutrition and its effects on perinatal outcomes by examining these key areas.

Prof. Dr. Megumi Haruna
Guest Editor

Dr. Malshani Lakshika Pathirathna
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)
perinatal nutrition
maternal complications
fetal development
breastfeeding
infant feeding behavior
low birth weight
small-for-gestational age
preterm birth
dietary counseling
supplementation
food fortification
lifestyle

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

14 pages, 617 KB

Open AccessArticle

Freeze-Dried Donor Milk for Fortification of Mother’s Own Milk in Preterm Infants: A Preliminary Observational Study

by Niels Rochow, Gisela Adrienne Weiss, Katja Knab, Isabell Prothmann, Stefan Schäfer, Jasper L. Zimmermann, Anastasia Meis, Stefanie Lohmüller-Weiß, Kerstin Simon, Simone Schäfer, Julia Welsch and Christoph Fusch

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3057; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193057 - 25 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1261

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized human milk fortifiers offer potential for exclusive human milk feeding in preterm infants while providing necessary nutritional supplementation. However, clinical data on safety, tolerability, and growth outcomes remain limited. This study evaluated donor milk fortification compared to conventional bovine protein-based fortification. Methods: We conducted a prospective non-interventional observational cohort study with a retrospectively matched comparison cohort at University Children’s Hospital of Nuremberg. Preterm infants ≥ 30 weeks gestational age requiring mother’s own milk fortification were included. The exposed cohort (n = 32) received freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized donor milk fortifier at 1.6–4.8 g/100 mL of mother’s own milk; the matched comparison cohort (n = 32) received bovine protein-based fortifier. Primary outcomes included feeding tolerance, safety parameters, and anthropometric measurements. Cohorts were matched for birth weight (±10%), gestational age (±5 days), and fortified feeding. Results: Baseline characteristics were not significantly different: gestational ages 32.8 ± 1.0 versus 33.0 ± 1.2 weeks; birth weights 1900 ± 380 g versus 1840 ± 370 g. Excellent feeding tolerance was demonstrated across >3100 feedings. No necrotizing enterocolitis, abdominal complications, or serious adverse events occurred. Blood glucose, triglycerides, and urea remained normal. Birth weights, lengths, and head circumferences showed no significant differences. Discharge parameters including weight, length, head circumference, and length of stay were also not significantly different. Conclusions: Freeze-dried human milk fortification demonstrates excellent safety and tolerability in preterm infants ≥ 30 weeks gestational age, achieving anthropometric outcomes not significantly different to bovine protein-based fortification. However, the suboptimal protein-to-energy ratio may limit applicability for very low birth weight infants. Therefore, freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized human milk fortification is suggested to provide appropriate nutritional supplementation for preterm infants with a birth weight over 1500 g. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 760 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional Challenges Among Children Under Five in Limpopo Province, South Africa: Complementary Feeding Practices and Dietary Diversity Deficits

by Tshilidzi Mafhungo, Lindiwe Priscilla Cele, Mmampedi Mathibe and Perpetua Modjadji

Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111919 - 3 Jun 2025

Viewed by 1767

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess complementary feeding practices and dietary diversity in relation to the nutritional status of children under five attending health facilities in the Thabazimbi sub-district, Limpopo Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 mother–child pairs. Data on socio-demographics, feeding practices, and anthropometry were collected using validated tools. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO growth standards, and dietary diversity was evaluated using WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and a 24 h dietary recall. Associations were analyzed using prevalence ratios in STATA 18. Results: Among 409 children (median age: 18 months, IQR: 12–24), 38% were stunted, 13% were underweight, 5% were thin, and 17% were overweight/obese. Exclusive breastfeeding was reported in 27%, and only 24% met the minimum dietary diversity (DDS ≥ 4). Complementary feeding practices varied significantly by maternal age, with mixed feeding more common among older mothers and younger mothers more likely to receive feeding advice (p = 0.001). Stunting was associated with being a boy (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.00–1.61), age > 24 months (PR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.16–0.65), and DDS ≥ 4 (PR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52–0.99). Underweight was more prevalent among boys (PR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.40–4.11), but less likely in children with DDS ≥ 4 (PR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20–0.92) and those from spouse-headed households (PR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13–0.87). Thinness was associated with DDS ≥ 4 (PR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.13–6.45) and age 12–24 months (PR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.02–7.64). Overweight/obesity was linked to age 12–24 months (PR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.25–3.03) and household income > ZAR 15,000 (PR = 4.09; 95% CI: 2.33–7.17). Conclusions: Complementary feeding and dietary diversity deficits contribute significantly to the dual burden of malnutrition in rural Limpopo, highlighting the need for targeted, context-specific nutrition interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 270 KB

Open AccessArticle

Double Burden of Malnutrition in Rural Madagascar: A Study on Infant Health in Ampefy

by Rosita Rotella, Jose M. Soriano, Agustin Llopis-Gonzalez and María Morales-Suarez-Varela

Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1756; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111756 - 22 May 2025

Viewed by 2063

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the prevalence and impact of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM), malnutrition and overnutrition, in infants aged 0–24 months in the rural municipality of Ampefy, Itasy region, Madagascar. The Global Nutrition Report 2022 highlights the widespread issue of malnutrition, affecting 2 billion adults and 38 million children under five. Madagascar, characterized by severe poverty and high malnutrition rates, serves as a critical case study. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 437 mother–child pairs from November 2022 to March 2023, collecting data on maternal education, dietary habits, and socio-economic status. Anthropometric measurements were taken using either a stadiometer or UNICEF length charts to assess height/length and an electronic scale to determine weight. Results: Findings reveal a high prevalence of malnutrition, with 29.7% of children affected by either wasting, stunting, and/or underweight, and 13.3% classified as overweight or obese. This study identifies significant age-related differences, with younger children more likely to be overweight and older children more likely to suffer from stunting or wasting. Maternal nutritional status, breastfeeding practices, and socio-economic conditions are strongly associated with child malnutrition outcomes. Lower dietary diversity among mothers and insufficient antenatal care are significant risk factors. Households with lower incomes and limited access to water and transport face higher malnutrition risks. Conclusions: This study underscores the critical need for targeted nutritional interventions and education to address DBM in Madagascar, highlighting the importance of maternal health and dietary diversity in early childhood development. Further longitudinal research is recommended to establish causality and develop comprehensive public health strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition)

Other

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 1022 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Association Between Short-Chain Fatty Acids and the Incidence of Food Allergies—Systematic Review

by Iga Szukalska, Maciej Ziętek, Jacek Brodowski and Małgorzata Szczuko

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3117; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193117 - 30 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1428

Abstract

Background/Objectives: There is a constant increase in the incidence of food allergies. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), responsible for maintaining the intestinal barrier and immune balance, are produced by the intestinal microbiota through the fermentation of dietary fibre. The aim of this systematic literature review was to analyse the association of SCFAs with the occurrence of food allergies. Methods: The analysed data were obtained by searching the PubMed and Scopus databases with the keywords “short-chain fatty acids and allergy”, “SCFA and allergy”, “SCFA and food allergy”, and “acetic acid or propionic acid or butyric acid or 3,4-methylvaleric acid and allergy”. Exclusion criteria were as follows: retracted articles, articles not freely accessible, and incomplete/insufficient data (conference reports). Two authors independently searched the literature. Results: Patients with food allergies show lower levels of SCFAs, especially acetic, butyric and propionic acids. 3,4-methylvaleric acid may be associated with intestinal inflammation in infants and intestinal leakage. Conclusions: Based on studies, there appears to be an association between lower stool levels of SCFAs—particularly butyric, propionic, acetic, and isovaleric acids—and the occurrence of food allergies in both children and adults. A proper diet that strengthens fibre, probiotics, and prebiotics and limits antibiotics, xenobiotics, pesticides is crucial for maintaining adequate SCFA levels and thus reducing allergy-related symptoms. 3,4-Methylvaleric acid and the activation of inflammatory processes contributing to intestinal leakage may provide a new diagnostic path. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Perinatal Outcomes and Early-Life Nutrition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI