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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
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Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake during Complementary Feeding and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Very Low Birth

Melanie Gsoellpointner1, Margarita Thanhaeuser2, Fabian Eibensteiner2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Nutrients
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), during complementary feeding is linked to better neurodevelopment in very low birth weight infants. However, current intakes often fall below recommended levels.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are crucial for infant brain development.
  • Limited data exists on PUFA intake during complementary feeding (CF) and its neurodevelopmental effects in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between dietary PUFA, arachidonic acid (AA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake during CF and neurodevelopmental outcomes in VLBW infants.
  • To assess neurodevelopment at 12 and 24 months corrected age (CA).

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of a randomized intervention trial.
  • Dietary intake assessed via monthly 3-day protocols (3-12 months CA).
  • Neurodevelopment evaluated using Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III.

Main Results:

  • Higher total PUFA and DHA intake correlated with improved cognitive and motor function at 12 months CA.
  • Increased AA intake was associated with enhanced motor scores at 12 months CA.
  • Median AA and DHA intakes were below recommended levels throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Enhancing total PUFA, DHA, and AA intake during CF is essential for VLBW infants.
  • Meeting recommended intake levels may optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Keywords:
arachidonic aciddocosahexaenoic acidneurodevelopmentpolyunsaturated fatty acidspreterm infants

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