title: The Ratio of Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid in Infant Formula Influences the Fatty Acid Composition of the Erythrocyte Membrane in Low-Birth-Weight Infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents in the infant formula influence on the growth and development of low-birth-weight infants (LBWI). In Japan, many infant formulas are fortified only with DHA. We investigated the safety and efficacy of an infant formula (H2025A) fortified with DHA and ARA (DHA/ARA ratio of 2:1, the same as that in Japanese breast milk).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized double-blind trial, 35 LBWI were randomly allocated to 2 groups fed with H2025A or an infant formula fortified only with DHA (control formula) after discharge from the NICU. The duration of this study was one month, and the growth and fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane were compared between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was found in the body weight gain, height gain and head circumstance gain development between the 2 groups, and no adverse event occurred in both groups. The ARA content of the erythrocyte membrane after feeding for 1 month was significantly higher in the H2025A group than in the control group. On analysis adjusted with the breast-fed ratio, the ARA and DHA contents were significantly higher in the H2025A group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was suggested that H2025A significantly increased the ARA and DHA contents of the erythrocyte membrane of LBWI compared to the contents of the control formula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamano
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shoji
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006128:Growth; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid