Related Experiment Videos
Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula on problem solving at 10 months of age
P Willatts1, J S Forsyth, M K DiModugno
1Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK.
Insights
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation in infant formula improved cognitive problem-solving skills. These benefits for infant development persisted beyond the supplementation period, suggesting a role in long-term cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are crucial for infant visual and brain development.
- LCPUFA are present in breast milk but historically absent from infant formulas.
- Infants may have limited endogenous LCPUFA synthesis capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of LCPUFA deficiency in term infants.
- To assess the impact of LCPUFA supplementation on infant cognitive behavior.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 44 term infants fed either LCPUFA-supplemented or unsupplemented formula from birth to 4 months.
- Cognitive behavior was evaluated at 10 months using a means-end problem-solving test.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving LCPUFA-supplemented formula demonstrated significantly more intentional solutions (median 2.0 vs 0, p=0.021).
- Higher intention scores were observed in the LCPUFA-supplemented group (median 14.0 vs 11.5, p=0.035).
Conclusions:
- Term infants may benefit from LCPUFA supplementation, with effects extending beyond the supplementation period.
- LCPUFA supplementation may positively influence cognitive development and potentially childhood intelligence.
Background:
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important for normal visual and brain development. Although present in human milk, LCPUFA have until recently been absent from artificial formulas, and infants may have limited ability to synthesise LCPUFA. To determine the clinical significance of this relative deficiency of LCPUFA, we undertook a randomised trial of the relation between LCPUFA supplementation and infant cognitive behaviour.
Methods:
44 term infants had been randomised to a formula supplemented with LCPUFA (21) or not supplemented with LCPUFA (23), which they had taken from birth to age 4 months. Infant cognitive behaviour was assessed at 10 months of age by a means-end problem-solving test--the intentional execution of a sequence of steps to achieve a goal. The problem required three intermediate steps to achieve the final goal, uncovering and retrieving a hidden toy.
Findings:
Infants who received LCPUFA-supplemented formula had significantly more intentional solutions than infants who received the no-LCPUFA formula (median 2.0 vs 0, p=0.021). Intention scores (median 14.0 vs 11.5 [maximum 18]) were also increased in this group (p=0.035).
Interpretation:
These findings suggest that term infants may benefit from LCPUFA supplementation, and that the effects persist beyond the period of supplementation. Since higher problem-solving scores in infancy are related to higher childhood IQ scores, supplementation with LCPUFA may be important for the development of childhood intelligence.