Improved Cognitive Development Among Preterm Infants Attributable to Early Supplementation of Human Milk With Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid
Author
Summary, in English
OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation
with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid for human milk-fed preterm infants.
The primary end point was cognitive development at 6 months of age.
METHODS. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study among
141 infants with birth weights of <1500 g. The intervention with 32 mg of docosahexaenoic
acid and 31 mg of arachidonic acid per 100 mL of human milk started 1
week after birth and lasted until discharge from the hospital (on average, 9 weeks).
Cognitive development was evaluated at 6 months of age by using the Ages and
Stages Questionnaire and event-related potentials, a measure of brain correlates
related to recognition memory.
RESULTS. There was no difference in adverse events or growth between the 2 groups. At
the 6-month follow-up evaluation, the intervention group performed better on the
problem-solving subscore, compared with the control group (53.4 vs 49.5 points).
There was also a nonsignificant higher total score (221 vs 215 points). The eventrelated
potential data revealed that infants in the intervention group had significantly
lower responses after the standard image, compared with the control group
(8.6 vs 13.2). There was no difference in responses to novel images.
CONCLUSIONS. Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid for
very preterm infants fed human milk in the early neonatal period was associated
with better recognition memory and higher problem-solving scores at 6 months
with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid for human milk-fed preterm infants.
The primary end point was cognitive development at 6 months of age.
METHODS. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study among
141 infants with birth weights of <1500 g. The intervention with 32 mg of docosahexaenoic
acid and 31 mg of arachidonic acid per 100 mL of human milk started 1
week after birth and lasted until discharge from the hospital (on average, 9 weeks).
Cognitive development was evaluated at 6 months of age by using the Ages and
Stages Questionnaire and event-related potentials, a measure of brain correlates
related to recognition memory.
RESULTS. There was no difference in adverse events or growth between the 2 groups. At
the 6-month follow-up evaluation, the intervention group performed better on the
problem-solving subscore, compared with the control group (53.4 vs 49.5 points).
There was also a nonsignificant higher total score (221 vs 215 points). The eventrelated
potential data revealed that infants in the intervention group had significantly
lower responses after the standard image, compared with the control group
(8.6 vs 13.2). There was no difference in responses to novel images.
CONCLUSIONS. Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid for
very preterm infants fed human milk in the early neonatal period was associated
with better recognition memory and higher problem-solving scores at 6 months
Department/s
Publishing year
2008
Language
English
Pages
1137-1145
Publication/Series
Pediatrics
Volume
121
Issue
6
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics
Topic
- Pediatrics
Keywords
- very low birth weight
- preterm infants
- human milk
- fatty acids
- developmental outcomes
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1098-4275