Derbyshire E J
Nutritional Insight, Epsom KT17 2AA, UK.
Nutrients. 2025 Apr 30;17(9):1558. doi: 10.3390/nu17091558.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In 1998 choline was identified as an essential nutrient by the United States Institute of Medicine. Choline is known primarily for its roles in neurotransmitter production, cell membrane formation, and methyl and lipid metabolism. Since this discovery the relevance of choline to maternal, fetal, and infant health has been studied intensively. This narrative review provides a coherent update of the latest evidence for field clinicians and healthcare professionals.
A PubMed/ScienceDirect search for human clinical evidence restricted to meta-analysis and systematic/review publications from the last 10 years was undertaken.
Meta-analysis and review publications highlight the importance of choline in supporting maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy by showing promising roles for choline in relation to neurological development, brain and liver function, reduced neural tube defect risk, and adverse pregnancy outcome risk. However, there are clear present-day gaps between habitual choline intakes and intake recommendations with the majority of pregnant and lactating women not meeting adequate intake recommendations for choline. This gap is anticipated to widen given transitions towards plant-based diets which tend to be lower in choline.
Alongside folic acid recommendations, choline supplementation should be considered in dietary recommendations by clinicians during crucial life stages such as pregnancy and lactation when physiological demands for this critical nutrient substantially increase.
背景/目的：1998年，胆碱被美国医学研究所确定为一种必需营养素。胆碱主要因其在神经递质产生、细胞膜形成以及甲基和脂质代谢中的作用而闻名。自这一发现以来，胆碱与孕产妇、胎儿和婴儿健康的相关性得到了深入研究。本叙述性综述为临床医生和医疗保健专业人员提供了最新证据的连贯更新。
在PubMed/ScienceDirect上搜索人类临床证据，仅限于过去10年的荟萃分析和系统评价/综述出版物。
荟萃分析和综述出版物强调了胆碱在孕期支持孕产妇健康和胎儿发育方面的重要性，表明胆碱在神经发育、脑和肝功能、降低神经管缺陷风险以及不良妊娠结局风险方面具有潜在作用。然而，目前习惯性胆碱摄入量与摄入建议之间存在明显差距，大多数孕妇和哺乳期妇女未达到胆碱的充足摄入建议。鉴于向胆碱含量较低的植物性饮食的转变，预计这一差距将会扩大。
除叶酸建议外，在怀孕和哺乳等关键生命阶段，当对这种关键营养素的生理需求大幅增加时，临床医生在饮食建议中应考虑补充胆碱。
