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Growth, tolerance, and DHA and ARA status of healthy term infants receiving formula with two different ARA

D R Hoffman1, C L Harris2, J L Wampler2

  • 1Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231, United States.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids
|June 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Infant formulas with varying arachidonic acid (ARA) levels and prebiotics were found to be equivalent in providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and ARA to infants. Buccal cells are not a reliable substitute for red blood cells in assessing fatty acid status.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are crucial long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) for infant development.
  • Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid composition is a key indicator of nutritional status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the equivalence of infant formulas with different ARA concentrations and prebiotic blends on DHA and ARA status.
  • To evaluate the correlation between RBC and buccal epithelial cell fatty acid levels.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy term infants received one of three formulas: Control (34 mg ARA/100 kcal), ARA-25 (25 mg ARA/100 kcal), or PDX/GOS (34 mg ARA/100 kcal with prebiotics).
  • Fatty acid profiles in RBCs, plasma phospholipids (PPLs), and buccal epithelial cells were analyzed using gas chromatography.
  • Statistical analysis included calculating confidence intervals for formula equivalence and correlation coefficients between different tissue types.

Main Results:

  • All tested formulas demonstrated equivalence in providing DHA and ARA to infants, with RBC fatty acid levels falling within pre-specified equivalence limits (85-118%).
  • No significant correlation was found between RBC and buccal epithelial cell ARA levels at 120 days.
  • A low but significant correlation was observed for DHA between RBC and buccal epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Infant formulas with 25 or 34 mg ARA/100 kcal and 17 mg DHA/100 kcal support equivalent fatty acid status in infants.
  • Buccal epithelial cells are not a suitable substitute for RBCs in assessing infant fatty acid status.
  • The study supports the availability of DHA for infant brain development across the tested formula variations.

Keywords:
Arachidonic acidDocosahexaenoic acidFatty acidsInfant feedingRed blood cell

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