Impact of fatty acid status on growth and neurobehavioural development in humans

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Perinatal n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation is widely studied for its impact on child development.
• Most research focuses on high-income countries and infant formula supplementation.
• Evidence suggests varying effects based on infant type (preterm vs. term) and supplementation timing (infant vs. maternal).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of perinatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on infant growth and neurobehavioural development.
• To identify specific populations and contexts where supplementation shows consistent benefits.
• To highlight areas requiring further investigation, particularly in low-income settings.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials.
• Analysis of studies involving infant formula, maternal supplementation, and breast milk fortification.
• Examination of outcomes related to physical growth and neurobehavioural assessments.

Main Results:

• Infant formula supplementation with n-3 LCPUFA shows more consistent positive effects on neurodevelopment in preterm infants compared to term infants.
• Infant growth (both term and preterm) is generally not significantly affected by n-3 LCPUFA supplementation.
• Maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy consistently increases birth size, even in low-income populations.
• Maternal supplementation's effect on term infant neurobehavioural outcomes is unclear, but beneficial for preterm infants receiving expressed milk.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation can positively influence neurodevelopment, particularly in preterm infants and when administered maternally.
• Growth benefits are minimal across populations.
• Further research is crucial to ascertain the neuroprotective potential of n-3 LCPUFA for children from disadvantaged or low-income backgrounds.