[n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in plasma at birth and one year of age and relationship with feeding].
OBJECTIVE
Compare the variations of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) levels at birth and at the first year of age in children on extended breast-feeding, medium term breast-feeding and formula feeding.


METHODS
77 healthy term infants divided in three groups: A (N=25): extended breast-feeding (more than 6 months), B (N=26): medium term breast-feeding (more than 3 and less than 5 months) and C (N=26): exclusive formula feeding. Fatty acids in plasma were measured at birth and at the first year of age.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the levels at birth. However, there is a significant decrease in the proportion of the main LCPUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), between birth and the first year of age. At one year of age, the percentage of DHA in Group A differs significantly between the other two: 2.46+/-0.84 vs. 1.80+/-0.48 and 1.89+/-0.75 (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
1. At birth, there are no differences in LCPUFA. 2. A significant decrease in the main LCPUFA is observed with age. 3. The extended breast-feeding group shows higher DHA levels than the other two. Therefore, breast-feeding for more than 6 months is required to achieve higher plasma DHA values.
Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital de Cruces, Barakaldo, Vizcaya, España. labmetabolismo@hcru.osakidetza.net
P
P
Sanjurjo Crespo
N
N
Trebolazabala Quirante
L
L
Aldámiz-Echevarría Azuara
L
L
Castaño González
J A
JA
Prieto Perera
F
F
Andrade Lodeiro
D001942:Breast Feeding; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6