Linda, it would be a good idea to ask the nurse for the title of the study she is referring to and if she read the entire study or just the media's interpretation. Two new reviews from the Cochrane Library have shown that the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) added to infant formula do not improve the physical, neurodevelopmental, or visual outcomes in either term or preterm infants. These reviews looked at only high quality randomized clinical trials and concluded that routine supplementation could not be recommended as the data did not support the need for such supplementation with these ingredients.


Simmer K, Patole S, Rao S. Longchain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infants born at term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000376. 



Simmer K, Schulzke S, Patole S. Longchain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000375. 


See also the following article that says the same thing:

Smithers LG et al. Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated acid supplementation of preterm infants on disease risk and neurodevelopment: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87:912-920

These fatty acids simply do not perform the way human fatty acids do. They are carried differently on the triglyceride molecule. Have the nurse read these 3 studies.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA


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