Sphingomyelin: A thread of thought.
Things that parents can't see.
Basic things parents often worry about.
Mother: Doctor, why does my child respond and think slowly, even though he started school early and I talk to him every day?
doctor: While parents focus on external stimulation, doctors want them to first look at whether the connections in their child's brain are well-established.What are the wires in a child's brain?
Doctor: A child's brain = a communication center that's being wired up.
During the ages of 1–3, a child's brain is building "neural connections" or myelinated axons. The faster these connections are formed, the faster they think, respond, and understand. These nerve fibers are coated with a substance called sphingomyelin, an essential fat that forms the membrane surrounding nerve endings.
Mother: And what would happen if there were no sphingomyelin?
Doctor: The electrical signals in your brain will “walk slowly,” like a home internet connection that still uses copper wires. [1]
Why is sphingomyelin supplementation necessary for children aged 1-3 years?
Doctor: Because sphingomyelin is a major component of nerve sheaths, and during the 1–3 year period the brain is intensely developing myelination, research has found that nutritional supplementation with a formula containing sphingomyelin is associated with better myelination development and promotes motor development. [2]
Mother: Where can I find Sphingomyelin?
Doctor: UHT infant formula fortified with nutrients and designed for toddlers contains added sphingomyelin to support brain development.
How do DHA and sphingomyelin differ in their functions?
Doctor: DHA is like the information being sent, but Sphingomyelin is the 'transmission link' that quickly gets that information to its destination. And if we don't deliver it at this age... our child's cognitive development might lag behind others for life.
Advice from the doctor:
- Don't just look at DHA, but also check if it contains "Sphingomyelin".
- When used together, they help to provide both "information" and "wires" to prepare your child's brain for use.
- Observe how responsive your child is and how much they interact verbally. This will be an indicator of their internal systems.
Mothers can choose to give their children UHT milk fortified with DHA, Sphingomyelin, and Vitamin B12, providing all the necessary "mental materials" and "neural pathways" to help children develop cognitive connections quickly during the crucial first 1,000 days.
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
Written by:
Dr. Worawit
Kanthamalee
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital
References:
1. Valles, P.G., Ali, Z., & Farran, A. (2022). Impact of dietary sphingomyelin on the developing brain. *Frontiers in Nutrition*, *9*, 991193.
2. Schneider N, et al. Sphingomyelin and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early life. Advances in Nutrition (2021)
