Neonatal Docosahexaenoic Acid in Preterm Infants and Intelligence at 5 Years

Jacqueline F Gould1, Maria Makrides1, Robert A Gibson1

  • 1From SAHMRI Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (J.F.G., M.M., R.A.G., T.R.S., A.J.M., K.P.B., J.M.B., C.T.C.), the Schools of Medicine (J.F.G., M.M., A.J.M., K.P.B., C.T.C.), Psychology (J.F.G.), Agriculture, Food, and Wine (R.A.G.), and Public Health (T.R.S.), University of Adelaide, and the Department of Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital (A.J.M.), Adelaide, SA, Newborn Research, Royal Women's Hospital (J.L.Y.C., P.G.D., L.W.D.), the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (P.J.A., J.L.Y.C., P.G.D., L.W.D.), and the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (J.L.Y.C., P.G.D., L.W.D.) and Paediatrics (L.W.D.), University of Melbourne, the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University (P.J.A.), and the Department of Paediatrics, Mercy Hospital for Women (G.F.O.), Melbourne, VIC, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, WA (M.S.), Newborn Medicine, Centre for Neonatal Research and Education, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA (M.S., K.S.), and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Children's Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW (J.T.) - all in Australia.

Summary

Neonatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in premature infants may improve cognitive development. This study found higher intelligence scores at age five in children who received DHA, suggesting benefits for preterm infant neurodevelopment.

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