Omega to premature babies

Omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA), are both major lipid components of the brain. During the last trimester, relatively large quantities of fatty acids are transferred via the placenta to the foetus.

– Therefore, premature babies miss out completely or partly on this supply of essential fatty acids. And therefore, DHA and AA supplements may be especially important to these infants”, Ane Cecilie Westerberg says.

She recently defended her thesis on Nutrition, growth and cognitive development among very low birth weight infants.

The impact of fatty acid supplements in breast milk

Westerberg’s findings on the possible benefits for the cognitive development of premature babies have been based on a study where 129 very premature babies with a birth weight below 1500 grams were given breast milk enriched with a supplement of oil containing DHA and AA. The results were compared with a control group who were given neutral oil.

– We wanted to study the impact of the supplement on the children’s cognitive function and we also observed the children’s nutrient intake during their time in hospital and their growth during the first year of life, Westerberg explaines.

The children who completed the study were invited to participate in a twenty month follow-up of cognitive function. The children’s growth in the first year of life was also studied. 92 of the 129 children took part in the twenty month follow-up.

Improved cognitive function

– When the children reached a chronological age of twenty months, we carried out two general tests. A Bayley Mental Development Index and a questionnaire to be filled out by the parents called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. The tests are based on age-appropriate tasks, Westerberg says.

The findings from the general cognitive function test showed no difference between infants who have been fed enriched breast milk and those who had not been fed enriched breast milk. However, a positive correlation was found between the DHA level in the blood on discharge from hospital and the result of the general test at a chronological age of twenty months.

Westerberg explaines:

– There may be reason to believe that a higher DHA level enhances mental development. Ideally, the result should be followed-up in one or more similar studies.

Free play test gave surprising results

In addition to the general tests, a free play test was arranged, where Westerberg and her colleagues observed the same infants. Through observation they wanted to study attention and concentration-related functions.

– The infants were filmed while they were given an unfamiliar set of toys to examine and play with. A psychology student then studied the video recording and scored each child according to the degree of focus and attention they gave to the toy, Westerberg explained.

– Our free play observation study gave interesting results. It may in fact indicate that the infants who were given a supplement of DHA and AA were more interested and better at maintaining concentration on the toy. However, more studies are also required here, before we can say anything for certain.

Supplement as standard treatment?

– Future studies should examine the need for giving premature babies a supplement of DHA and AA immediately after birth. If future studies can confirm the benefit of supplements to premature babies fed breast milk, it may be relevant to introduce supplements as standard treatment in hospital, she says.

At present most milk formulas contain the same level of DHA and AA as normally found in natural breast milk. If it turns out that breast milk fed premature babies would benefit from higher levels of DHA and AA, it is conceivable that the level should also be raised in commercially produced milk formulas for premature babies.
 

References:

Westerberg AC, Schei R, Henriksen C, Smith L, Veierød MB, Drevon CA, Iversen PO (2011): Attention among very low birth weight infants following early supplementation with docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid, Acta Paediatrica. ISSN 0803-5253. 100(1), s 47- 52. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01946.x.

Westerberg AC, Henriksen C, Ellingvåg A, Veierød MB, Júlíusson PB, Nakstad B, Aurvåg AK, Rønnestad A, Grønn M, Iversen PO, Drevon CA. (2010): First year growth among very low birth weight infants, Acta Paediatrica. ISSN 0803-5253. 99(4), s 556- 562. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01667.x.

Henriksen C, Westerberg AC, Rønnestad A, Nakstad B, Veierød MB, Drevon CA, Iversen PO (2009): Growth and nutrient intake among very-low-birth-weight infants fed fortified human milk during hospitalisation, British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. 102(8), s 1179- 1186. doi: 10.1017/S0007114509371755.