LONG-CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS AND VISUAL FUNCTION IN PRETERMINFANTS

Electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded at 40 weeks post-conceptual age (PCA) in 18 infants born prematurely (25-32 weeks gestation). Fatty a cid composition of plasma and red cell phospholipids was measured with in 4 days of birth and at time of ERG testing, and detailed record was kept of dietary intake. Correlations were seen between percentage int ake of breast milk and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in both plasma(r = 0 .818, P < 0.0001) and red cells (r = 0.534, P = 0.035) and significant differences in fatty acid profiles were seen between infants receivin g > 50% and < 50% breast milk. No difference was seen in retinal sensi tivity between infants receiving > 50% or < 50% breast milk. A positiv e correlation was seen between scotopic (rod) b-wave implicit time on ERG and DHA in both plasma (r = 0.733, P = 0.001) and red cells (r = 0 .502, P = 0.04). A positive correlation was seen between arachidonic a cid and rod ERG amplitude(r = 0.565, P = 0.022) which may reflect the higher AA/DHA ratio in the developing retina. These data did not suppo rt our hypothesis that increased dietary DHA results in enhanced retin al maturation. Visual acuity measured at 40 weeks PCA and again 3 mont hs later was similar between groups. While subtle relationships were d emonstrated between long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and visual function, all infants were felt to be within age-appropriate normal ra nge at expected date of delivery and at 3 months corrected age.