1Department of Pediatrics, University of Munich, Germany
2Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA
3Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Italy
4Department of Pediatrics, University of Frankfurt, Germany
5Department of Pediatrics, University of Granada, Spain
6Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, IRCCS Policlinico, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena, University of Milan, Italy
7University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
8Department of Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
9Hopital St Vincent de Paul, Paris, France
10Department of Pediatrics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
11Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Basel, Switzerland
12Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Basel, Switzerland
13Rene Descartes Paris 5 University, Paris, France and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
14Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France
15Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidore, Denmark
16Academic Division of Child Health, Center for Reproduction and Early Life, University of Nottingham, UK
17Department of Pediatrics, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
18School of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK
19Department of Human Nutrition, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Abstract
This paper reviews current knowledge on the role of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6), in maternal and term infant nutrition as well as infant development. Consensus recommendations and practice guidelines for health-care providers supported by the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Early Nutrition Academy, and the Child Health Foundation are provided. The fetus and neonate should receive LC-PUFA in amounts sufficient to support optimal visual and cognitive development. Moreover, the consumption of oils rich in n-3 LC-PUFA during pregnancy reduces the risk for early premature birth. Pregnant and lactating women should aim to achieve an average daily intake of at least 200 mg DHA. For healthy term infants, we recommend and fully endorse breastfeeding, which supplies preformed LC-PUFA, as the preferred method of feeding. When breastfeeding is not possible, we recommend use of an infant formula providing DHA at levels between 0.2 and 0.5 weight percent of total fat, and with the minimum amount of AA equivalent to the contents of DHA. Dietary LC-PUFA supply should continue after the first six months of life, but currently there is not sufficient information for quantitative recommendations.
Comments (0)