Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Optimal Neurodevelopment

Abstract

Abstract Key Points The supply of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affects the composition of plasma and red blood cell membrane lipids of term and preterm infants. Human infants require docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their diet because they are unable to form this in sufficient quantity from the linoleic acid provided from vegetable oils. Dietary n-3 fatty acid deficiency affects eye and brain function of preterm and term infants as measured by electrorelinogram, cortical visual-evoked potentials, and behavioral testing of visual acuity. Technological procedures based on chemical and physical separation of the unsaturated fatty acids have permitted the elaboration of nearly pure eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA, and arachidonic acid (AA) for clinical use. The development of single-cell oil sources and, more recently, genetically modified plants and animals provides novel forms of long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) delivery. Human milk is the best and only time proven source of fat and essential fatty acids and LCPUFAs in the infant diet. Supplementation of formula with both DHA and AA has been demonstrated to support growth and development closer to that of human milk-fed infants without evidence of adverse effects. The public health implications of these changes need to be fully evaluated to support this practice on a global scale. KeywordsVisual AcuityPreterm InfantHuman MilkEssential Fatty AcidChain Polyunsaturated Fatty AcidThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.