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Early behaviour and development in breast-fed premature infants are influenced by omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid

Cristina Lundqvist-Persson1, Gerd Lau, Per Nordin

  • 1Skaraborg Institute, Skövde, Sweden. cristina.lundqvist-p@vgregion.se

Early Human Development
|July 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) impact infant brain development. Specific omega-6 fatty acids showed negative associations with early neurological development, while omega-3 fatty acids showed positive associations.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal development
  • Nutritional neuroscience
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for brain development.
  • Preterm infants may have altered EFA metabolism.
  • Understanding EFA's role in early neurodevelopment is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between EFA concentrations in breast milk, maternal plasma, and infant plasma with early neurological development in preterm infants.
  • To assess neurodevelopment at term and 44 weeks gestational age.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 51 preterm infants and their mothers (median gestational age 34 weeks).
  • Neurodevelopment assessed using General Movements (GMs), Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS), and a Self-Regulation Scale.
  • EFA concentrations measured in breast milk, maternal plasma, and infant plasma phospholipids.

Main Results:

  • Higher concentrations of Mead acid and arachidonic acid (AA) in breast milk were negatively associated with motor and behavioral development scores.
  • Increased linoleic acid in maternal plasma correlated with less improvement in infant orientation.
  • Increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in infant plasma was linked to better autonomic stability.

Conclusions:

  • Specific omega-6 fatty acids (Mead acid, AA) were negatively associated with early neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) showed positive associations with certain aspects of development.
  • Maternal education and gestational age were stronger predictors of outcomes than infant or maternal morbidities.
Abstract

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