Developmental Nutrition

Abstract: Recent research findings have confirmed the role played by nutrition in mammalian development, and have led to the identification of the new biological discipline of developmental nutrition. This interdisciplinary subject is treated in 3 sections: growth and development; nutritional influences on embryonic and fetal development; and nutrition in infancy and childhood. Such concepts as biochemical maturation, differentiation and morphogenesis, and placental transfer are examined. Nutritional influences of the macro- and micronutrients on prenatal development, congenital abnormalities, malnutrition, brain growth, learning, and maternal physiological and dietary adaptations to pregnancy are discussed. Aspects of nutritional needs in infancy, early childhood, and adolescence are also presented.