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High-dose docosahexaenoic acid benefited some preemies

Manley BJ. Pediatrics. 2011;doi:10.1542/peds.2010-2405.

Male preemies benefited from high doses of docosahexaenoic acid, in that some had a reduced need for oxygen and others had a reduced risk for hay fever as toddlers, according to results of a new study recently published online.

Peter G. Davis, MD, and colleagues of Royal Women’s Hospital in Victoria, Australia, looked at 657 infants born before 33 weeks’ gestation who consumed breast milk from mothers who either did or did not take docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements for 10 weeks. This study followed up on previous results, which found that DHA requirements did not enhance neurodevelopment, as reflected by the Bayley mental development index.

The researchers noted similar rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia with high-dose DHA and without it, and survival rates were similar between the two groups. “There was no effect on duration of respiratory support, admission length, or home oxygen requirement,” the researchers said.

The researchers said there was a decrease in those requiring oxygen at a corrected age of 36 weeks’ gestation in infants who weighed less than 1,250 g at birth, and in male infants. Also, parents reported less hay fever at either 12 or 18 months, about 3.5% in the high-dose DHA group compared with 8.6% in the standard DHA group. The researchers noted a difference by gender, with males benefiting most.

“The optimal dose of DHA is uncertain, and although the dose used in the DINO (Docosahexaenoic Acid for the Improvement of Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Preterm Infants) trial should be compared with a higher-dose strategy, any products designed for neonates born at less than 1,250 g should contain at least 1% of the total fats as DHA,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Two of the researchers reported serving on the scientific advisory boards for Nestle, Fonterra and Nutricia. The other researchers indicated no potential conflicts of interest.

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