Infants fed docosahexaenoic acid- and arachidonic acid-supplemented formula have decreased incidence of bronchiolitis/bronchitis the first year of life.
To assess the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid supplementation in infant formula on the incidence of respiratory illnesses, pediatricians assigned infants to receive docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid-supplemented formula or control formula. Anthropometrics, medical history, and illnesses were reported. Among 1342 infants, there was a higher incidence of bronchiolitis in control versus docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid-supplemented groups at 5, 7, and 9 months (P < .01). Weight, length, and head circumference were similar for both groups. Infants fed formula supplemented with 0.32% docosahexaenoic acid and 0.64% arachidonic acid experienced a lower incidence of bronchiolitis compared with infants fed formula supplemented with no docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid or lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid in the first year of life.
Pastor
Nitida
N
Mead Johnson Nutritionals, USA.
Soler
Begoña
B
Mitmesser
Susan Hazels
SH
Ferguson
Paul
P
Lifschitz
Carlos
C
D000886:Anthropometry; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid