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Neurodevelopment, Oxidative Stress and Nutrition in Perinatal Period

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 2

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
University Children ‘Pietro Barilla’ Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
Interests: newborn infant; infection; inflammation; oxidative stress; nutrition; neonatal bone health

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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
Interests: newborn infants; neonatal neuroscience; brain injury; olfactory system; neonatal bone health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Factors affecting fetal nutrition play a crucial role in determining the risk of developing metabolic diseases later in life. Neonatal health is deeply influenced by maternal health and nutrition, which impact neurodevelopment beginning already in utero. Although the exact mechanisms by which the intrauterine environment affects adult health remain unclear, fetal programming of oxidative stress and endocrine systems is recognized as a key factor shaping long-term development.

Preventing non-communicable chronic diseases requires addressing several challenges. First, there is a pressing need for new diagnostic tools specifically designed for use in fetuses and newborns to detect early risk factors. Second, it is essential to better understand how environmental contaminants—especially endocrine-disrupting chemicals—induce oxidative stress and cause epigenetic modifications in mothers. These changes can subsequently affect the fetus, newborn, and infant, potentially programming susceptibility to chronic diseases throughout life.

In addition to maternal factors, neonatal nutrition plays a vital role in supporting brain development and modulating oxidative stress after birth. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that promote optimal neurodevelopment and immune function. Early postnatal nutrition thus represents a critical window to influence long-term health trajectories positively.

A comprehensive approach combining maternal nutrition optimization, reduction in exposure to harmful substances, and promotion of appropriate neonatal nutrition is vital to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes and long-term health starting from the perinatal period

To this end, we welcome original scientific contributions that address these challenges and expand our understanding of neurodevelopmental outcomes, oxidative stress, and nutrition during the perinatal period.

Prof. Dr. Serafina Perrone
Dr. Chiara Petrolini
Guest Editors

Dr. Virginia Beretta
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • neurodevelopment
  • oxidative stress
  • neonatal health
  • maternal nutrition
  • perinatal period
  • breastfeeding
  • nutrition
  • metabolic diseases
  • chronic diseases

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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