Docosahexaenoic Acid Status of Term Infants Fed Breast Milk or Infant Formula Containing Soy Oil or Corn Oil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to compare circulating lipid docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3), DHA] levels in term infants fed a powdered (CORN oil) or liquid (SOY oil) infant formula or human milk (HM). Infants whose mothers chose not to breast feed were randomly assigned to the CORN or SOY formula group. The formula fat differed in linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] content: it was 0.8% for the CORN and 4.8% for the SOY. Linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)] was 31.5 and 34.2% fatty acids in the CORN and SOY formula, respectively. The formulas or H M were fed from birth through 8 wk of age, and growth and the plasma and red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid fatty acid composition was determined at 3 d, 4 wk, and 8 wk of age. Growth did not differ among groups. The plasma phospholipid and RBC phosphatidylethanolamine DHA was similar in the CORN and SOY formula groups at all ages. Plasma and RBC phosphatidylethanolamine levels of DHA were significantly lower in infants fed the CORN or SOY formula than in infants fed H M during wk 4 and 8. Plasma and RBC 22:5(n-6) was not increased in the formula groups at any age. The formula content of linolenic acid had no effect on the RBC or plasma DHA levels of the infants. The biologic or functional significance of the lower plasma and RBC DHA in infants fed formula rather than H M is unknown. The need for a dietary source of DHA and specificity of plasma or RBC phospholipid DHA as a measure of desaturation and elongation of linolenic acid in developing organs remains uncertain. (Pediatr Res 32: 683-688,1992)

Essential fatty acids as determinants of lipid requirements in infants, children and adults

“…Some studies have attempted to optimize LNA to DHA conversion by providing suf®cient LNA (b 0.7% of total energy) and a lower LA to LNA ratio in formula (`10:1). Initial results by Ponder et al (1992) indicated that this alternate strategy could be simpler and less expensive than the addition of n-3 LCPUFA. Studies by Innis et al (1994Innis et al ( , 1996Innis et al ( , 1997 concluded that the need for DHA supplementation should not be based on the alleged improved visual acuity of breast fed infants since despite differences in DHA content in blood no differences in preferential looking acuity between BF and unsupplemented formula fed infants were found.…”

Effects of preterm infant formula supplementation with α-linolenic acid with a linoleate/α-linolenate ratio of 6: a multicentric study

“…Many studies have tested different a-linolenic acid (ALA) supplying formulas in term or preterm infants. They have demonstrated lower plasma and/or RBC DHA levels than with human milk (Innis et al, 1990;Birch et al, 1992;Ponder et al, 1992) and have raised concerns as to the neonate's ability to desaturate and elongate ALA to DHA. For this reason, preformed LCPUFAs have been preferred as supplements to infant formulas (Koletzko et al, 1989;Birch et al, 1992).…”

Perinatal biochemistry and physiology of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…[54][55][56][57][58] Adding oils containing DHA and ARA to infant formulas in amounts approximating those in human milk results in ''normalization'' of the plasma and RBC DHA and ARA to levels within the range of those in breast-fed infants. [54][55][56] The increase in plasma and RBC DHA and ARA after an increase in dietary DHA and ARA intake is wellknown from studies in adults.…”