Development of low birthweight infants at 19 months of age correlates with early intake and status of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

We investigated the influence of early nutrition with and without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) on later development of less than or equal to 2500 g newborns receiving preterm formula without LCP (n=75), preterm formula with 18:3 omega 6 and LCP omega 3 (at two doses; n=26) or their mother's own milk (n=27). All diets were given from birth to day 42. Erythrocytes (RBC) fatty-acid compositions were determined on day 42. Bayley's mental development (MDI) and psychomotor development (PDI) indices were assessed at 19 months. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that PDI was most strongly related to RBC 22:6 omega 3 in the cohort of 101 infants who received formula. The most consistent correlations were between development and early LCP omega 3 intake, and between development and parameters of RBC LCP omega 3 status day 42, in infants who received formula with 18:3 omega 6 and LCP omega 3. Development of formula-fed low-birthweight infants seems positively influenced by early dietary LCP omega 3. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.