Development of low-birthweight infants at 19 months of age correlates with early intake and status of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
We investigated the influence of early nutrition with and without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) on later development of < or = 2500 g newborns receiving preterm formula without LCP (n=75), preterm formula with 18:3omega6 and LCPomega3 (at two doses; n=26) or their mother's own milk (n=27). All diets were given from birth to day 42. Erythrocytes (RBC) fatty-acid compositions were determined on day 42. Bayley's mental development (MDI) and psychomotor development (PDI) indices were assessed at 19 months. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that PDI was most strongly related to RBC 22:6omega3 in the cohort of 101 infants who received formula. The most consistent correlations were between development and early LCPomega3 intake, and between development and parameters of RBC LCPomega3 status day 42, in infants who received formula with 18:3omega6 and LCPomega3. Development of formula-fed low-birthweight infants seems positively influenced by early dietary LCPomega3.
Woltil
H A
HA
Department of Pediatrics, Martini Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. woltilha@knmg.nl
van Beusekom
C M
CM
Okken-Beukens
M
M
Schaafsma
A
A
Muskiet
F A
FA
Okken
A
A
D002657:Child Development; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D011247:Pregnancy
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated