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Topical Area: Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain

Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain (Poster Session)

(P27-018-23) Comparing Maternal Diet and Fecal SCFA Profiles of Infants With and Without Prenatal Opioid Exposure

Monday, July 24, 2023

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM ET

Location: Poster Board 321

Presenting Author(s)

Michelle E. Johnson, PhD

Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States

Co-Author(s)

AW

Amy E. Wahlquist, MS

East Tennessee State University
Kristy L. Thomas, BS

Graduate Assistant
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
WC

William A. Clark, PhD, RD

Professor of Clinical Nutrition/Associate Dean for Research
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee, United States
KB

Kara Boynewicz, PhD

East Tennessee State University
AC

Alyson J. Chroust, PhD

East Tennessee State University

Disclosure(s):

Michelle E. Johnson, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Kristy L. Thomas, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

William A. Clark, PhD, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Nutrition is vital for neurodevelopment, however the relationship between fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and neurobehavior in infants is not fully understood.

The objectives of this research were to compare the prenatal diets of biological mothers via a modified food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ); compare the SCFA composition of infants with and without prenatal opioid exposure, and examine whether SCFA compositions were associated with infant neurobehavior assessed shortly after birth.

Methods: Fifty-seven mothers completed a FFQ estimating their intake of targeted nutrients during pregnancy. The NICU Network Neonatal Scale (NNNS) was performed on all infants as part of a larger study. Infant stool samples were collected for 17 of the infants (Six non-opioid exposed; 11 opioid-exposed).

Average daily nutrient consumption was estimated using USDA’s FoodData Central. Medians and interquartile ranges for 8 SCFAs were analyzed via gas chromatography and compared between groups to identify potential relationships between exposure group and SCFA composition.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups’ maternal consumption during pregnancy. For both groups, protein intake exceeded needs, while choline, folate, and iron fell well below the DRIs.

Results indicated no statistical significance between infant opioid exposure and their SCFAs (all p’s > 0.2). However, several infant SCFAs were statistically associated with infant scores on the NNNS subscales. Acetic was related to attention (p = .04) and handling (p = .03). Butyric was related to handling (p = .03) and stress (p =. 04). Propionic was related to arousal (p = .01), excitability (p = .01), quality of movement (p = .01), and stress (p = .01).

Conclusions: Infant SCFA composition did not differ between exposure groups, however associations identified between SCFAs and neurobehaviors are of particular interest to explore as we begin to understand the role SCFAs play on neurobehavior in infants.

Funding Sources: ETSU RDC Major Grant; CCRHS Dean’s Research Enhancement Award