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Published on: November 29, 2013
IPD meta-analysis shows no effect of LC-PUFA supplementation on infant growth at 18 months
Eva Rosenfeld1, Andreas Beyerlein, Mijna Hadders-Algra
1Institute for Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Munich, Heiglhofstrasse 63, Munich, Germany.
Insights
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) supplementation in infant formula does not impact children's growth. This meta-analysis found no significant effects on growth markers at 18 months of age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Growth and Development
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Conflicting results exist regarding the impact of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) supplementation in infant formula on child growth.
- LC-PUFAs, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), are crucial for infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of LC-PUFA supplementation in formula milk on the growth of term and preterm children.
- To analyze growth outcomes at 18 months of age using individual patient data (IPD) from randomized clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of individual patient data (IPD) was conducted on 901 children from four large randomized clinical trials.
- Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference, BMI) were assessed using z-scores at 18 months.
- Multivariate regression analyses and subgroup analyses were performed, accounting for potential confounders and trial variations.
Main Results:
- LC-PUFA supplementation showed no significant effect on any growth z-score (weight-for-age, length-for-age, head circumference-for-age, BMI-for-age) at 18 months.
- Subgroup analyses focusing on high DHA amounts or supplementation duration of at least 6 months also yielded no significant findings.
- The lack of significant effects was not attributable to insufficient statistical power.
Conclusions:
- This IPD meta-analysis provides no evidence that LC-PUFA supplementation in infant formula influences children's growth up to 18 months of age.
- The findings contribute to understanding the role of specific fatty acids in infant formula and their impact on growth trajectories.
Aim:
Clinical trials on the effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) supplementation of formula milk on growth of term and preterm children have shown conflicting results. We examined the effects of LC-PUFAs-- especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA)--on growth at 18 months.
Methods:
We performed a meta-analysis based on individual patient data (IPD) of 901 children from four large, randomised clinical trials of formula milk with and without LC-PUFAs. Anthropometrics were assessed by z-scores based on weight for age, length for age, head circumference for age and body mass index (BMI) for age at 18 months. The studies differed in LC-PUFA composition and infant characteristics (two studies on preterm children, two on term children).
Results:
Multivariate regression analyses including the possible confounders, sex, gestational age, birth weight, smoking in the last trimester and maternal age, as well as interaction terms showed no significant effects of LC-PUFA supplementation on any z-score. Subgroup analyses on trials with high amounts of DHA and on studies with duration of supplementation of at least 6 months yielded the same result. These findings cannot be explained by the lack of power.
Conclusion:
Our IPD meta-analysis shows no evidence that LC-PUFA supplementation affects children's growth at 18 months of age.
