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Early neurological and neuropsychological development of the preterm infant and polyunsaturated fatty acids supply

D Bouglé1, P Denise, F Vimard

  • 1Département de Pédiatrie, CHU de Caen, France.

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|August 24, 1999
PubMed

Insights

A balanced supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) without long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) supported adequate early neurological maturation in premature newborns. Further research is needed to confirm LC-PUFA effects on nerve conduction velocity maturation.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Neurodevelopmental Biology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Premature newborns (PT) have unique nutritional requirements for optimal development.
  • Fatty acid composition of infant diets influences neurological maturation.
  • The role of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA), in early neurodevelopment requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of breast milk (BM), a formula with 18-carbon PUFA (A), and a formula enriched with LC-PUFA (B) on the early neurological maturation of premature newborns.
  • To assess changes in evoked potentials (EPs) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) alongside phospholipid composition.

Main Methods:

  • Premature newborns were fed BM, formula A, or formula B from the second day of enteral feeding for at least 30 days.
  • Auditory and visual evoked potentials (EPs), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and plasma and red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid fatty acid composition were measured at baseline and 30 days.
  • Statistical analysis compared changes in neurological parameters and fatty acid levels between the feeding groups.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in the changes of evoked potential parameters between the groups.
  • Motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) maturation was slower in the group fed formula B (enriched with LC-PUFA) compared to the BM and formula A groups.
  • Plasma and RBC phospholipid analyses showed specific differences in linoleic acid and arachidonic acid levels between groups, with no significant differences in arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid changes.

Conclusions:

  • A balanced intake of n-6 and n-3 PUFA, without the addition of LC-PUFA, supports adequate early central nervous system maturation in premature infants.
  • The potential impact of LC-PUFA supplementation on the maturation of nerve conduction velocity warrants further investigation.
Abstract

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