OBJECTIVE: Breast-fed infants receive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) in their diet. Upon weaning, infants lose this dietary source of long-chain polyunsaturates because many commercial formulas do not contain these important constituents for neural membrane biogenesis. We evaluated the benefits of postweaning dietary supplementation of DHA + ARA on visual maturation. STUDY DESIGN:Healthy term infants (n = 61) were breast-fed to 4 to 6 months, then were randomly assigned to commercial formula or formula supplemented with DHA (0.36%) + ARA (0.72%). Measurements of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, visually evoked potential (VEP) acuity, and stereoacuity were done before and after weaning. RESULTS: At 1 year of age, RBC-DHA in the commercial formula-fed group was reduced by 50% from the weaning level, whereas there was a 24% increase in the DHA + ARA-supplemented group. The primary outcome measure, VEP acuity, was significantly more mature in supplemented infants at 1 year of age. Elevated RBC-DHA levels were associated with more mature VEP acuity. There were no significant diet-related differences in stereoacuity. CONCLUSIONS: These data extend through the first year of life the critical period in which a dietary supply of DHA and ARA can contribute in optimizing visual development in term infants.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Breast-fed infants receive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) in their diet. Upon weaning, infants lose this dietary source of long-chain polyunsaturates because many commercial formulas do not contain these important constituents for neural membrane biogenesis. We evaluated the benefits of postweaning dietary supplementation of DHA + ARA on visual maturation. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy term infants (n = 61) were breast-fed to 4 to 6 months, then were randomly assigned to commercial formula or formula supplemented with DHA (0.36%) + ARA (0.72%). Measurements of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, visually evoked potential (VEP) acuity, and stereoacuity were done before and after weaning. RESULTS: At 1 year of age, RBC-DHA in the commercial formula-fed group was reduced by 50% from the weaning level, whereas there was a 24% increase in the DHA + ARA-supplemented group. The primary outcome measure, VEP acuity, was significantly more mature in supplemented infants at 1 year of age. Elevated RBC-DHA levels were associated with more mature VEP acuity. There were no significant diet-related differences in stereoacuity. CONCLUSIONS: These data extend through the first year of life the critical period in which a dietary supply of DHA and ARA can contribute in optimizing visual development in term infants.
Authors: Linda P M Pluymen; Geertje W Dalmeijer; Henriëtte A Smit; Cuno S P M Uiterwaal; Cornelis K van der Ent; Lenie van Rossem Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2017-09-26 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Linda M Arterburn; Harry A Oken; James P Hoffman; Eileen Bailey-Hall; Gloria Chung; Dror Rom; Jacqueline Hamersley; Deanna McCarthy Journal: Lipids Date: 2007-08-23 Impact factor: 1.880
Authors: Dennis Hoffman; Ekhard Ziegler; Susan H Mitmesser; Cheryl L Harris; Deborah A Diersen-Schade Journal: Lipids Date: 2007-10-03 Impact factor: 1.880