Growth and development in term infants fed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: A double-masked, randomized, parallel, prospective, multivariate study

Objective. To evaluate the effects of dietary intake of the long-chain poly unsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid (AA), and docosahexaenoic acid (D HA) on multiple indices of infant growth and development. Design. A double-masked, randomized, parallel trial was conducted with term infants fed formulas with or without AA+DHA for 1 year (N = 239). Referenc e groups of breastfed infants (N = 165) weaned to formulas with and without AA+DHA were also studied. Infants in the formula groups were randomized at less than or equal to9 days of age to a control formula with no AA or DHA (n = 77) or 1 of 2 otherwise identical formulas containing AA+DHA (AA, 0.46 % and DHA, 0.14% of total fatty acids) from either egg-derived triglyceride (egg-DTG [n=80]) or fish oil and fungal oil (fish/fungal [n = 82]) at leve ls similar to the average in breast milk samples as measured in the referen ce group. All formulas contained 50% of energy from fat with the essential dietary fatty acids, linoleic acid (20% fatty acids) and alpha -linolenic a cid (2% fatty acids). The main study outcomes were AA and DHA levels in pla sma and red blood cells, and multiple measures of infant development at mul tiple ages from birth to 14 months: growth, visual acuity, information proc essing, general development, language, and temperament. Results. AA and DHA levels in plasma and red cells were higher in AA+DHA-su pplemented groups than in the control formula group and comparable to those in reference groups. No developmental test results distinguished these gro ups. Expected differences in family demographics associated with breastfeed ing were found, but no advantages to breastfeeding on any of the developmen tal outcome demonstrated. Conclusions. These findings do not support adding AA+DHA to formulas contai ning 10% energy as linoleic acid and 1% energy as alpha -linolenic acid to enhance growth, visual acuity, information processing, general development, language, or temperament in healthy, term infants during the first 14 mont hs after birth.