Essential Fatty Acids and Visual Development in Infants

Abstract

The essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, serve as precursors for longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and as precursors for prostaglandins and thromboxanes. The brain, retina, and other neural tissues are especially rich in LC-PUFAs, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized de novo in the human body, and consequently humans must rely on an adequate amount of essential fatty acids in the diet. Essential fatty acids and their long-chain derivatives are available in the fetal period via transport across the placenta and in the neonatal period through breast milk or infant formula. The specific essential fatty acid intake from formula depends on the composition of oils used in the formula. Early infancy may be critical time when visual and brain development of infants are susceptible to the effects of inadequate stores or deficient intake of essential fatty acids. Recent clinical trials suggest that supplemental DHA has a beneficial effect on visual acuity in the first months of life, especially for preterm infants, and a recent effort has been made to reach a consensus about the dietary requirements for DHA for infants and pregnant women (1).KeywordsVisual AcuityPreterm InfantRetinal Pigment EpitheliumEssential Fatty AcidDocosahexaenoic 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.