Meta-analysis of LCPUFA Supplementation of Infant Formula and Visual Acuity

Abstract

Current evidence suggests that LCPUFA supplementation of infant formulas improves infants' visual acuity up to 12 months of age.

Current Information and Asian Perspectives on Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Pregnancy, Lactation, and Infancy: Systematic Review and Practice Recommendations from an Early Nutrition Academy Workshop

“…A meta-analysis of 15 randomized studies on the effects of LC-PUFA supplementation in term infants did not show significant beneficial effects of supplementation on either mental or psychomotor development [82]. This finding was repeated in another meta-analysis including 12 trials involving 1,802 infants and demonstrating no significant effect of LC-PUFA supplementation of formula on early infant visual development and cognition [83,84]. Outcomes regarding visual acuity were inconsistent: no overall benefits were reported in a Cochrane review, with 5 out of 9 studies not showing a beneficial effect [82].…”

“…Outcomes regarding visual acuity were inconsistent: no overall benefits were reported in a Cochrane review, with 5 out of 9 studies not showing a beneficial effect [82]. In contrast, a meta-analysis involving 1,949 infants from 19 studies found a significant benefit for infants' visual acuity after LC-PUFA supplementation up to 12 months of age [83]. Studies that provided higher doses of DHA (at least 0.32% in formula) and AA (at least 0.65% in formula) for a longer duration (>1 year) and measured visual acuity with electrophysiological tests were more likely to show beneficial effects of supplementation in term infants [82].…”

Human Milk Lipids

“…However, some controversy remains with regards to the effects of the supply of preformed LC-PUFA on neurodevelopment of healthy term infants. For example, the authors of a meta-analysis on randomized trials evaluating infant formula with LC-PUFA compared to formula without LC-PUFA concluded that while some studies showed a significant benefit, overall no significant effect was detectable [37,38] . The authors noted the limitation of their conclusions by a large degree of heterogeneity of the included studies, which provided markedly different interventions and also used a variety of very different outcomes and approaches to outcome assessment.…”

From Epidemiology to Epigenetics: Evidence for the Importance of Nutrition to Optimal Health Development Across the Life Course

“…In addition, the effects of oral supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy on early childhood development, especially visual, were inconclusive (Gould et al 2013). In a meta-analysis of 12 studies (1949 infants up to 12 months of age), omega-3 supplementation of infant formulas appeared to have possible effects on visual acuity as measured by evoked potential for infants 2 months of age and by behavioral methods at 12 months (Qawasmi et al 2013). In another meta-analysis conducted by the same authors evaluating the effects of omega-3 supplementation of infant formula, no effects on general cognition were identified (Qawasmi et al 2012).…”