Premature Babies: Direct Omega-3 Supplementation Is Safe and Effective
In preterm infants, direct administration of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) can reduce or eliminate the deficiency of this fatty acid in a dose-dependent manner. This supplementation appears more effective than that provided from mother to child through breast milk and shows no side effects.
This was demonstrated by researchers from the University of Adelaide (Australia), who recently published the study in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids.
Very premature infants and the risk of neurodevelopmental problems
Children born preterm are significantly at risk of brain development disorders and learning difficulties. Nutritional interventions that increase DHA, an Omega 3 found in high concentrations in the brain and retina, are very important to improve the health status of premature infants. Some studies have shown that in infants born before 33 weeks of gestation, DHA supplementation through breast milk or formula significantly reduced the risk of severe mental retardation. However, in these infants, blood DHA levels did not reach those observed in full-term infants for reasons that remain unclear and are likely numerous.
Orally administered DHA reduces blood deficiencies
In this study, 31 infants born before 30 weeks of gestation were randomly given 40, 80, or 120 mg per kilogram of body weight of DHA in the form of an aqueous emulsion orally. Another 23 infants served as controls; among them, 11 received no supplementation, and 12 received DHA from breast milk of supplemented mothers. Analyzing the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the infants’ blood, researchers found that, seven days after supplementation, those given direct oral DHA showed higher DHA concentrations compared to both control groups. Furthermore, DHA intake was well tolerated by all infants without adverse effects.
Towards future studies
According to the researchers, this study confirms that blood DHA concentration in premature infants can be improved by direct administration rather than through breast milk, providing a safe and effective intervention. The efficiency of DHA transfer from mother to child may depend on various factors, such as the mother’s differing response to supplementation. This new study thus represents an important step toward future research to improve methodology and outcomes.
Source: C.T. Collins, T.R. Sullivan, A.J. McPhee, M.J. Stark, M. Makrides, R.A. Gibson. “A dose response randomised controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in preterm infants” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids.
