Visual acuity and cognitive outcomes at 4 years of age in a double-blind, randomized trial of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplemented infant formula.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
While there is a large body of data on the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of infant formula on visual and cognitive maturation during infancy, longterm visual and cognitive outcome data from randomized trials are scarce.

AIM:
To evaluate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA)-supplementation of infant formula on visual and cognitive outcomes at 4 years of age.

METHODS:
Fifty-two of 79 healthy term infants who were enrolled in a single-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of DHA and ARA supplementation of infant formula were available for follow-up at 4 years of age. In addition, 32 breast-fed infants served as a "gold standard". Outcome measures were visual acuity and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence--Revised.

RESULTS:
At 4 years, the control formula group had poorer visual acuity than the breast-fed group; the DHA- and DHA+ARA-supplemented groups did not differ significantly from the breast-fed group. The control formula and DHA-supplemented groups had Verbal IQ scores poorer than the breast-fed group.

CONCLUSION:
DHA and ARA-supplementation of infant formula supports visual acuity and IQ maturation similar to that of breast-fed infants.

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Author information

Author/s: Birch, Eileen E (EE); Garfield, Sharon (S); Castañeda, Yolanda (Y); Hughbanks-Wheaton, Dianna (D); Uauy, Ricardo (R); Hoffman, Dennis (D);

Affiliation: Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, TX 75231, USA. ebirch(-atsign-)retinafoundation.org <ebirch(-atsign-)retinafoundation.org>

Grants: HD22380 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Early human development (Early Hum Dev), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-May; vol 83 (issue 5) : pp 279-84

Dates: Created 2007/04/17; Completed 2007/06/11; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17240089, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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 shown below.

Arachidonic Acid - administration & dosage; pharmacology
Breast Feeding
Child, Preschool
Cognition - drug effects
Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage; pharmacology
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans

Humans
Infant
Infant Formula - chemistry; pharmacology
Infant, Newborn
Intelligence Tests
Male
Milk, Human
Visual Acuity - drug effects

Associated Chemicals: Docosahexaenoic Acids (25167-62-8) ; Arachidonic Acid (506-32-1)

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