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Visual function in breast-fed term infants weaned to formula with or without long-chain polyunsaturates at 4 to 6
Dennis R Hoffman1, Eileen E Birch, Yolanda S Castañeda
1Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas, Texas 75231, USA. dhoffman@retinafoundation.org
Objective:
Breast-fed infants receive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) in their diet. Upon weaning, infants lose this dietary source of long-chain polyunsaturates because many commercial formulas do not contain these important constituents for neural membrane biogenesis. We evaluated the benefits of postweaning dietary supplementation of DHA + ARA on visual maturation.
Study Design:
Healthy term infants (n = 61) were breast-fed to 4 to 6 months, then were randomly assigned to commercial formula or formula supplemented with DHA (0.36%) + ARA (0.72%). Measurements of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, visually evoked potential (VEP) acuity, and stereoacuity were done before and after weaning.
Results:
At 1 year of age, RBC-DHA in the commercial formula-fed group was reduced by 50% from the weaning level, whereas there was a 24% increase in the DHA + ARA-supplemented group. The primary outcome measure, VEP acuity, was significantly more mature in supplemented infants at 1 year of age. Elevated RBC-DHA levels were associated with more mature VEP acuity. There were no significant diet-related differences in stereoacuity.
Conclusions:
These data extend through the first year of life the critical period in which a dietary supply of DHA and ARA can contribute in optimizing visual development in term infants.