from medscape




NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 01 - Infant formula supplemented with
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) does not improve the
neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants, according to a report in the
July issue of Pediatrics.
Breast milk contains long-chain PUFA, which is found in high concentrations
in cell membranes, particularly those of the central nervous system, and is
thought to play an important role in brain development.

Because standard infant formula does not contain long-chain PUFA,
researchers have reasoned that formula supplemented with this fatty acid
would benefit preterm infants whose brains have not fully matured. But
studies to date have yielded conflicting results.

In the current study, neurodevelopmental test results at 9 and 18 months did
not differ significantly among 195 preterm infants, regardless of whether
they were fed long-chain PUFA-supplemented formula or standard formula while
in the hospital.

However, at 18 months, the children who had been fed the supplemented
formula showed a slight trend toward better developmental scores, especially
among those born before 30 weeks of pregnancy, study author Dr. Mary S.
Fewtrell, from the Institute of Child Health in London, and colleagues note.

While this finding could have been due to chance, the researchers believe it
warrants further study because it is possible that children given long-chain
PUFA-supplemented formula will show measurable gains later in life.

"Failure to demonstrate a significant effect of long-chain PUFA
supplementation on global tests of development during infancy does not
exclude the possibility of more subtle effects, which might become apparent
at a later age, when more detailed neurocognitive testing is possible," they
write. "This emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up of infants enrolled
in supplementation studies, currently being planned for our cohort."

But the researchers also note that there are concerns with the supplemented
formula. At 18 months, children in this group were shorter and lighter than
those given standard formula.

Furthermore, a group of 88 control infants who were breastfed scored higher
on developmental tests than either group of formula-fed infants.

Pediatrics 2002;110:73-82.



Can't wait to read the entire article!
Karen Querna, RN,BSN, IBCLC
Spokane,WA

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