Effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on retinal function of very-low-birth-weight neonates.
Retinal function was assessed by electroretinogram in 32 neonates randomly assigned to formulas of different omega-3 fatty acid content and in 10 infants fed human milk. All neonates had a birth weight of 1000-1500 g and were fed study diets from d 10 to 45 or discharge. Group A received formula containing predominantly 18:2 omega-6. Group B received a balanced mix of 18:2 omega-6 and 18:3 omega-3. Group C was given a formula containing both essential fatty acids and supplemented with marine oil to provide 22:6 omega-3 content similar to that of human milk. The fatty acid composition of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) lipids were similar for all groups on entry but marked diet-induced differences were found after feeding the study diets. Group C was comparable to the human milk-fed group, but group A had lower 22:6 omega-3 and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in plasma and RBC membranes. Cone function was not affected by dietary essential fatty acids. Rod electroretinogram thresholds were significantly higher for group A relative to the human milk-fed group and group C and significantly correlated with RBC omega-3 LCPUFA (r = -0.63, p less than 0.0001); 44% of the variance could be explained by RBC and plasma omega-3 LCPUFA content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Uauy
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RD
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9063.
Birch
D G
DG
Birch
E E
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Tyson
J E
JE
Hoffman
D R
DR
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004596:Electroretinography; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008895:Milk, Human; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012160:Retina / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids