Mateu-Fabregat J, Panisello L, Novau-Ferre N, Pinar-Marti A, Jimenez-Arenas P, Ferrer M, Rivas I, Llurba E, Lassale C, Gomez-Riog MD, Vioque J, Gonzalez-Palacios S, Contreras-Rodriguez O, Arija V, Foraster M, Gascon M, Dadvand P, Sunyer J, Julvez J, Bullo M. Maternal dietary phylloquinone intake (vitamin K1) and early childhood neurodevelopment. Pediatr Res. 2025 Oct 21. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04543-7

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition is a crucial modifiable factor with phylloquinone being involved in processes related to optimal brain development. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between maternal phylloquinone intake during pregnancy and early neurodevelopment in children.

METHODS: This study included 1080 pregnant women and their offspring from the Barcelona Life Study Cohort (BiSC). Maternal phylloquinone intake during pregnancy was estimated using a validated semiquantitative 114-item food frequency questionnaire. The Developmental Profile 3 (DP-3) and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) were administered during early childhood. Statistical analysis was conducted using multivariable linear mixed-effects models and linear regression models.

RESULTS: Higher maternal dietary phylloquinone intake during pregnancy was associated with increased global developmental index scores (β [95% CI]: 0.88 [0.10, 1.66]) and better cognitive (β [95% CI]: 0.87 [0.14, 1.60]) and physical development (β [95% CI]: 0.72 [0.02, 1.42]), based on DP-3 scores. Similarly, motor development assessed through BSID-III scores was consistently higher in offspring of mothers within the highest phylloquinone intake (β [95% CI]: 1.69 [0.008, 3.38]).

CONCLUSION: Higher dietary phylloquinone intake during pregnancy was associated with improved offspring neurodevelopment, emphasizing the need for tailored recommendations during pregnancy to support optimal brain development.

IMPACT: Prenatal maternal nutrition has been recognized as a critical modifiable factor influencing optimal brain development. No previous studies have examined the impact of maternal phylloquinone intake during pregnancy on neurodevelopment. Higher maternal dietary intake of phylloquinone was associated with higher global developmental index scores, as well as improved cognitive and physical development in early childhood. These findings emphasize the need for tailored vitamin K recommendations during pregnancy to support optimal brain development in offspring.