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Pre- and post-term growth in pre-term infants supplemented with higher-dose DHA: a randomised controlled trial

Carmel T Collins1, Maria Makrides, Robert A Gibson

  • 1Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Child Nutrition Research Centre, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|March 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Higher doses of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in preterm infant diets did not negatively impact growth. Infants receiving higher DHA showed increased length at 18 months, with benefits for weight and length in heavier infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric growth and development
  • Essential fatty acids

Background:

  • The role of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in preterm infant growth remains debated.
  • Current feeding practices for preterm infants vary in DHA content.
  • Understanding optimal DHA levels is crucial for infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of higher-dose DHA supplementation on the growth of preterm infants.
  • To compare growth outcomes between infants receiving high DHA and standard DHA formulas.
  • To assess growth up to 18 months corrected age.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 657 preterm infants (< 33 weeks gestation).
  • Infants received either higher-dose DHA (~1% of fatty acids) or standard DHA (0.2-0.3%) from early life until expected date of delivery.
  • Growth parameters (weight, length, head circumference) were measured at multiple time points up to 18 months corrected age.

Main Results:

  • No significant effect of higher DHA on weight or head circumference at any assessed age.
  • Infants fed higher DHA showed a statistically significant increase in length (0.7 cm) at 18 months corrected age.
  • An interaction between DHA dose and birth weight strata was observed, with higher DHA improving weight and length in infants ≥ 1250g at later time points.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary DHA supplementation up to 1% of total fatty acids is safe and does not adversely affect overall growth in preterm infants.
  • Higher DHA intake may promote linear growth, particularly in infants with higher birth weights.
  • Further research may clarify specific benefits of higher DHA for different subgroups of preterm infants.

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