Docosahexaenoic acid and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Kosuke Tanaka1, Shiori Tanaka2, Nidhi Shah3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Japan.

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|May 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation did not reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. This systematic review found no significant clinical benefits for DHA in treating BPD or other neonatal complications.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Nutritional Science
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a significant complication in extremely preterm infants.
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), known for anti-inflammatory properties, is explored for BPD management.
  • This study systematically reviews DHA's impact on BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in preventing or treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
  • To assess the effects of DHA on other neonatal morbidities in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was performed across multiple databases up to June 2017.
  • Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving preterm infants (<33 weeks gestational age).
  • Meta-analysis was conducted on data from four RCTs involving 1,966 neonates.

Main Results:

  • DHA supplementation did not decrease the risk of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (low certainty of evidence).
  • No significant reduction in other neonatal morbidities was observed, including death, BPD at 28 days, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, severe retinopathy of prematurity, or sepsis.
  • Evidence certainty varied from low to moderate for different outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation may not provide significant clinical benefits for treating BPD in preterm infants.
  • DHA supplementation does not appear to significantly reduce the risk of other common neonatal morbidities.
  • Further research may be needed to clarify the role of DHA in neonatal care.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bronchopulmonary dysplasiadocosahexaenoic acidmeta-analysisneonatal morbiditiespreterm infant

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