Uridine Monophosphate for Babies with Cerebral Palsy?

randomized-controlled-trial PMID: 29023666

Quick Summary: Researchers looked at whether giving babies with suspected cerebral palsy a mix of nutrients, including uridine monophosphate (UMP), could help with their development. The study found that while the nutrient mix didn't show huge improvements overall, it might have helped with thinking and language skills.

What The Research Found

This study looked at whether a mix of nutrients, including UMP, could help babies with suspected cerebral palsy. The babies who took the nutrient mix for two years showed some potential benefits in thinking and language skills, though the results weren't strong enough to be considered a sure thing.

Study Details

Who was studied: Babies aged 1 to 18 months old in the UK who were suspected of having cerebral palsy.

How long: The babies took the supplements for up to 2 years.

What they took: Babies in the treatment group received a daily dose of UMP (50mg), along with DHA (100mg) and choline (1000mg). The control group did not receive any supplements.

What This Means For You

UMP and Brain Health: UMP is a building block for RNA, which is important for brain function. This study suggests it might help with thinking and language skills in babies with suspected cerebral palsy.

Talk to Your Doctor: If you have a baby with suspected cerebral palsy, talk to your doctor about this research. They can help you understand if UMP supplementation might be a good option for your child, and if so, how to safely incorporate it into their diet.

More Research Needed: It's important to remember that this study is just one piece of the puzzle. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the full benefits of UMP.

Study Limitations

Small Study: The study only included a small number of babies, which makes it harder to be sure of the results.

Combined Nutrients: The babies took a mix of nutrients, so it's hard to know if UMP alone made a difference.

No Placebo: The control group didn't receive a placebo, which could have affected the results.

More Research Needed: The study was cut short, and more research is needed to confirm the findings.

Key Findings

This 2018 randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that daily supplementation with uridine-5-monophosphate (UMP), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and choline for 2 years in infants with suspected cerebral palsy (CP) did not yield statistically significant improvements in cognitive composite scores (CCS-Bayley-III) or language/motor outcomes compared to a control group. However, the treatment group showed non-significant cognitive (mean difference: 4.4 [-2.8, 11.6]) and language composite score advantages of potential clinical relevance. Feasibility of long-term supplementation was confirmed, with most families adhering to the protocol.

Study Design

A double-blind RCT conducted in UK child development centers. Participants were infants aged 1–18 months with suspected CP (stratified by age, sex, motor involvement, and visual impairment). Of 40 recruited infants, 35 began supplementation, and 29 completed 1–2 years of treatment. The intervention combined DHA (100mg/day), choline (1000mg/day), and UMP (50mg/day), while the control group received no supplementation.

Dosage & Administration

The treatment group received 50mg/day of UMP orally, alongside DHA (100mg/day) and choline (1000mg/day). Supplementation was administered daily for 2 years. Compliance was high, with most families reporting adherence. No placebo was given to the control group, which may have introduced bias.

Results & Efficacy

Primary Outcome (CCS-Bayley-III): Treatment group scored 77.7 (SD 19.2) vs. 72.2 (SD 19.8) in the control group (mean difference: 4.4, 95% CI -2.8 to 11.6; not statistically significant).
Secondary Outcomes:
Language Composite: Treatment group showed non-significant higher scores.
Motor Composite: No differences observed.
Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) for cognitive and language outcomes were 0.3–0.4, suggesting moderate clinical relevance despite lack of statistical significance.

Limitations

Small Sample Size: Only 29 infants completed the trial, limiting statistical power.
Early Termination: Recruitment challenges halted the study prematurely.
No Placebo Control: The absence of a placebo in the control group may bias results.
Combined Intervention: UMP’s individual contribution to outcomes cannot be isolated.
Heterogeneous Population: Varied motor involvement patterns (e.g., four-limb vs. other) and baseline characteristics may confound results.
Lack of Long-Term Data: Follow-up beyond 2 years is needed to assess sustained effects.

Clinical Relevance

While the study did not confirm statistically significant benefits, the observed clinically meaningful cognitive and language score differences (4.4-point and unspecified language improvements) suggest potential for UMP-based supplementation in infants with suspected CP. The feasibility of 2-year supplementation supports its practical use in clinical settings. However, due to the small sample size and combined intervention design, these results should be interpreted cautiously. Parents and clinicians may consider UMP as part of a broader nutritional strategy, but larger RCTs isolating UMP’s effects and assessing long-term outcomes are required to validate these preliminary findings.

Source: PubMed (2018)