Abstract

The initial years of life are a critical period for brain development, characterized by rapid growth and structural differentiation. Nutritional deficiencies during this phase may hinder cognitive advancement, contributing to long-term academic challenges and learning disabilities. This systematic review aims to evaluate and synthesize the evidence on various nutritional strategies (including breastfeeding, formula feeding, dietary supplements, and fortified foods) and their effects on cognitive performance and school readiness in preschool-aged children. The review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and included studies published in English from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. Studies involving children aged 3–6 years were selected, focusing on randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional designs. Outcomes of interest included changes in cognitive development and academic performance linked to early-life nutrition. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated a significant association between breastfeeding and improved cognitive outcomes (odds ratio: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.91–2.90; P<0.00001). No statistically significant correlation was found between formula feeding and cognitive outcomes (P=0.10). Furthermore, a strong relationship was observed between early nutritional interventions and improvements in overall cognitive development and school readiness (P=0.008). However, associations between early nutrition and cognitive literacy/numeracy were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Early-life nutrition positively influences cognitive development in preschool-aged children. Although improvements in general cognitive abilities were clear, no strong evidence was found linking early nutrition to literacy and numeracy outcomes. Continued research is essential to further clarify these relationships.

Keywords: Nutrition Disorders · Cognitive Development · Preschool Child · Breastfeeding · Child Development · Neurodevelopmental Disorders

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Peer review

Peer reviewed by 3 reviewers, who chose to remain anonymous.

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