Cerebral cortex docosahexaenoic acid is lower in formula-fed than in breast-fed infants.

Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) is abundant in the brain and retina and may be important for optimal nervous system development. Although current infant formulas available in the United States do not contain this fatty acid, it is found in human milk. In a recent study, the concentration of 22:6n-3 in cerebral cortex phospholipids was lower in full-term formula-fed infants than in infants who were breast-fed.