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 Vol. 8 No. 4, April 2007
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NeoReviews Vol.8 No.4 2007 e143
© 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics

Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (LCPUFA) Supplementation for Infants Born Preterm

Lisa G. Smithers, PhD*,{dagger}
Robert A. Gibson, PhD*,{ddagger}
Maria Makrides, PhD*,{dagger}

* Child Health Research Institute, Child, Youth and Women's Health Service, North Adelaide, Australia
{dagger} Child Health Research Institute at Flinders, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia
{ddagger} School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Australia

During gestation, the placenta actively enriches the fetal circulation with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), and significant quantities are concentrated in brain and retinal tissues. Preterm infants are denied the usual gestational accretion of LCPUFA, prompting the addition of these fatty acids to preterm formula. Electrophysiologic assessment of visual maturation has shown improved retinal sensitivity and visual acuity with LCPUFA formula supplementation, although the optimal dose has not been determined. Developmental assessment trials of infants fed LCPUFA-supplemented formulas have shown varied results, as have trials assessing the growth of infants fed such formulas. Comparative trials have shown no increased incidence of sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia among preterm infants fed LCPUFA-supplemented formulas. Further research is required to determine the overall balance of LCPUFA in the diets of preterm infants fed either human milk or infant formula.

Abbreviations: AA: arachidonic acid • BPD: bronchopulmonary dysplasia • BSID: Bayley Scales of Infant Development • CA: corrected age • DHA: docosahexaenoic acid • EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid • ERG: electroretinogram • IVH: intraventricular hemorrhage • LCPUFA: long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids • MDI: mental development index • NEC: necrotizing enterocolitis • PDI: psychomotor development index • RCT: randomized, controlled trial • ROP: retinopathy of prematurity • VEP: visual evoked potential






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