title: Determinants of DHA levels in early infancy: differential effects of breast milk and direct fish oil supplementation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although omega (n)-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), intakes are important during infancy, the optimal method of increasing infant status remains unclear. We hypothesized that high-dose infant fish oil supplementation would have greater relative effects upon n-3 LCPUFA status at six months of age than breast milk fatty acids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants (n=420) were supplemented daily from birth to six months with fish oil or placebo. In a subset of infants, LCPUFA levels were measured in cord blood, breast milk and in infant blood at 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DHA levels increased in the fish oil group relative to placebo (p<05). Breast milk DHA was the strongest predictor of infant erythrocyte DHA levels (p=<001). This remained significant after adjustment for cord blood DHA, supplementation group and adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cohort, breast milk DHA was a greater determinant of infant erythrocyte n-3 LCPUFA status, than direct supplementation with fish oil.
authors.affiliation: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, WA 6008, Australia.smeldrum@meddent.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Meldrum
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Vaz
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Casadio
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dunstan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Niels Krogsgaard-Larsen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simmer
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids