title: Neonatal fatty acid status and neurodevelopmental outcome at 9 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important for prenatal brain development. Previous studies of others assessed outcome until 7 years. The associations between neonatal LCPUFA status and long-term developmental outcome are debated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between fatty acid status at birth and neurodevelopment at 9 years. Age 9 is a unique age after a significant neurodevelopmental transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlation study. Multivariable analyses were carried out to adjust for potential confounders.
  
  
  METHODS
  317 children who participated in a trial on effects of postnatal LCPUFA supplementation were eligible. 235 children (74%) were reassessed at age 9.
  
  
  METHODS
  At birth, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) were determined in the wall of the umbilical vein. We primarily studied the correlation between DHA and AA with the complex form of minor neurological dysfunction (cMND). Secondary correlations that were studied were DHA and AA levels with cognitive development in terms of full IQ, and with behavioural development in terms of a total problem score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Boys with cMND showed lower DHA values in the umbilical vein than children with better neurological condition (p=0.033). A similar association was absent in girls. Neonatal AA values were not associated with neurological outcome. Neither neonatal DHA nor AA values were associated with cognition and behaviour at 9.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher umbilical DHA levels in boys are associated with better neurological development at 9 years. AA status at birth was not associated with neurodevelopment at 9 years.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of General Practice, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hedwig K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kikkert
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seggers
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Science Consulting, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boehm
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Medical School of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Tamas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Decsi
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.hadders-algra@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Mijna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadders-Algra
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid
keywords: Fatty acids; LCPUFA; Minor neurological dysfunction; Neurodevelopment