Research article summary (published 29 Sep 1992):

Dietary essential fatty acid supply and visual acuity development.

Full Abstract

The influence of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supply on visual acuity development was evaluated in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants using visual-evoked potential (VEP) and forced-choice preferential-looking (FPL) procedures at 36 and 57 wk postconception. The VLBW infants born at 27-33 wk postconception were randomized to one of three diet groups: corn oil, which provided solely linoleic acid; soy oil, which provided linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids; or soy/marine oil; which was similar to the soy oil formula but also provided preformed long chain omega-3 fatty acids. The VLBW infants in the soy/marine oil group had higher omega-3 levels in erythrocyte membranes and better VEP and FPL acuities at 36 and 57 wk than infants in the corn oil group. The soy oil group had intermediate omega-3 levels in erythrocyte membranes and significantly poorer VEP acuity at 57 wk compared with the soy/marine oil group. Only the soy/marine oil group had acuities comparable to the "gold standards" of VLBW infants fed human milk and preterm infants who were born and tested at 35-36 wk postconception. In addition, VEP and FPL acuity were poorer in a nonrandomized group of formula-fed full-term infants than in breast-fed full-term infants. The results suggest that dietary omega-3 fatty acid supply may play an important role in early human visual development.

Author information

Author/s: Birch, E E (EE); Birch, D G (DG); Hoffman, D R (DR); Uauy, R (R);

Affiliation: Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX 75231.

Grants: EY05235 (Agency:NEI NIH HHS) ; EY05236 (Agency:NEI NIH HHS) ; HD22380 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1992-Oct; vol 33 (issue 11) : pp 3242-53

Dates: Created 1992/11/16; Completed 1992/11/16; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 1399429, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Breast Feeding Corn Oil - administration & dosage Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - administration & dosage Evoked Potentials, Visual - physiology Fatty Acids, Essential - administration & dosage Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage Female Fish Oils - administration & dosage

Humans Infant Infant, Low Birth Weight - physiology Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature Male Soybean Oil - administration & dosage Visual Acuity - physiology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Dietary Fats, Unsaturated (0) ; Fatty Acids, Essential (0) ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (0) ; Fish Oils (0) ; Soybean Oil (8001-22-7) ; Corn Oil (8001-30-7)

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