Essential fatty acids are fatty acids which cannot be synthesised by the human body and must therefore be obtained from the diet. Fatty acids are important constituents of cell membranes, affecting their fluidity and functionality and are especially important in the membranes of neurons.

In the last trimester of pregnancy and in the first four months after birth, rapid brain growth in the human infant requires large amounts of essential fatty acids. This study examined the relationship between omega-3 essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) supplementation and cognitive function in pre-term infants.

During pregnancy, these DHA and AA are transferred from the mother to the foetus across the placenta. Both fatty acids are also found in human milk but in smaller quantities. Premature infants are therefore relatively deprived of these essential nutrients they need for brain development at the time when they need them most.

In a trial, a randomly assigned group of 62 infants with very low birth weight (less than 1500 g) received human milk, fortified with 32 mg of docosahexaenoic and 31 mg of arachidonic acid per 100 mL for an average of 63 days. Proteins, minerals, vitamins, iron and folic acid were also added to the milk. The control group consisted of 67 infants who did not receive DHA and AA supplementation.

At 6 months of age, infants were tested in recognizing familiar objects by measuring their brain activity with electroencephalography. The group that was given extra DHA/AA exhibited significantly better recognition memory.

"Infants who received DHA and AA had better problem-solving skills and discriminated better between familiar and unfamiliar objects, compared with the control group. This function is essential for focusing attention, learning, and information processing," Dr. Drevon's team commented the outcomes.

The researchers to plan to follow up the subjects in order to determine the long term impact of supplementation with essential fatty acids in young age on cognitive function and school performance later in life.

Source: Fatty Acid Supplementation of Human Milk Improves Cognition of Preterm Infants