Higher dose of docosahexaenoic acid in the neonatal period improves visual acuity of preterm infants: results of a randomized controlled trial

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dc.contributor.authorSmithers, L.
dc.contributor.authorGibson, R.
dc.contributor.authorMcPhee, A.
dc.contributor.authorMakrides, M.
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description© 2008 American Society for Nutrition
dc.description.abstract<h4>Background</h4>Preterm infants have improved visual outcomes when fed a formula containing 0.2-0.4% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) compared with infants fed no DHA, but the optimal DHA dose is unknown.<h4>Objective</h4>We assessed visual responses of preterm infants fed human milk (HM) and formula with a DHA concentration estimated to match the intrauterine accretion rate (high-DHA group) compared with infants fed HM and formula containing DHA at current concentrations.<h4>Design</h4>A double-blind randomized controlled trial studied preterm infants born at <33 wk gestation and fed HM or formula containing 1% DHA (high-DHA group) or approximately 0.3% DHA (current practice; control group) until reaching their estimated due date (EDD). Both groups received the same concentration of arachidonic acid. Sweep visual evoked potential (VEP) acuity and latency were assessed at 2 and 4 mo corrected age (CA). Weight, length, and head circumference were assessed at EDD and at 2 and 4 mo CA.<h4>Results</h4>At 2 mo CA, acuity of the high-DHA group did not differ from the control group [high-DHA group (x +/- SD): 5.6 +/- 2.4 cycles per degree (cpd), n = 54; control group: 5.6 +/- 2.4 cpd, n = 61; P = 0.96]. By 4 mo CA, the high-DHA group exhibited an acuity that was 1.4 cpd higher than the control group (high-DHA: 9.6 +/- 3.7 cpd, n = 44; control: 8.2 +/- 1.8 cpd; n = 51; P = 0.025). VEP latencies and anthropometric measurements were not different between the high-DHA and control groups.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The DHA requirement of preterm infants may be higher than currently provided by preterm formula or HM of Australian women.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityLisa G Smithers, Robert A Gibson, Andrew McPhee, and Maria Makrides
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 88(4):1049-1056
dc.identifier.doi10.1093/ajcn/88.4.1049
dc.identifier.issn0002-9165
dc.identifier.issn1938-3207
dc.identifier.orcidSmithers, L. [0000-0002-6585-7836]
dc.identifier.orcidGibson, R. [0000-0002-8750-525X]
dc.identifier.orcidMcPhee, A. [0000-0003-3820-5696]
dc.identifier.orcidMakrides, M. [0000-0003-3832-541X]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/51056
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmer Soc Clinical Nutrition
dc.relation.grantNHMRC
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/88.4.1049
dc.subjectMilk, Human
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectBody Weight
dc.subjectBirth Weight
dc.subjectDocosahexaenoic Acids
dc.subjectBody Height
dc.subjectDouble-Blind Method
dc.subjectNutritional Requirements
dc.subjectEvoked Potentials, Visual
dc.subjectVisual Acuity
dc.subjectDose-Response Relationship, Drug
dc.subjectInfant Formula
dc.subjectInfant, Newborn
dc.subjectInfant, Premature
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectInfant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
dc.titleHigher dose of docosahexaenoic acid in the neonatal period improves visual acuity of preterm infants: results of a randomized controlled trial
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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