Deborah A. Diersen-Schade

The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid

BACKGROUNDnThe range of human milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations worldwide is much broader than the range explored in randomized clinical trials to date.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe primary objective was to determine the effect of 4 amounts of DHA supplementation on the visual acuity of formula-fed infants at 12 mo of age. Secondary objectives were to evaluate visual acuity maturation, red blood cell fatty acids, tolerance, anthropometric measures, and adverse events.nnnDESIGNnThis double-masked, randomized trial was conducted at 2 sites (Dallas and Kansas City). Three hundred forty-three healthy, term, formula-fed infants were enrolled at 1-9 d of age and were randomly assigned to be fed 1 of the following 4 infant formulas containing equivalent nutrient amounts, except for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: control (0% DHA), 0.32% DHA, 0.64% DHA, or 0.96% DHA; DHA-supplemented formulas also provided 0.64% arachidonic acid. Visual acuity was measured by visual evoked potentials in 244 infants who completed the 12-mo primary outcome examination.nnnRESULTSnInfants fed control formula had significantly poorer visual evoked potential visual acuity at 12 mo of age than did infants who received any of the DHA-supplemented formulas (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in visual evoked potential visual acuity between the 3 amounts of DHA supplementation for either site at any age tested.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDHA supplementation of infant formula at 0.32% of total fatty acids improves visual acuity. Higher amounts of DHA supplementation were not associated with additional improvement of visual acuity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00753818.

The Impact of Dietary Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Respiratory Illness in Infants and Children

Increasing evidence suggests that intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), especially omega-3 LCPUFA, improves respiratory health early in life. This review summarizes publications from 2009 through July 2012 that evaluated effects of fish, fish oil or LCPUFA intake during pregnancy, lactation, and early postnatal years on allergic and infectious respiratory illnesses. Studies during pregnancy found inconsistent effects in offspring: two showed no effects and three showed protective effects of omega-3 LCPUFA on respiratory illnesses or atopic dermatitis. Two studies found that infants fed breast milk with higher omega-3 LCPUFA had reduced allergic manifestations. Earlier introduction of fish improved respiratory health or reduced allergy in four studies. Three randomized controlled trials showed that providing LCPUFA during infancy or childhood reduced allergy and/or respiratory illness while one found no effect. Potential explanations for the variability among studies and possible mechanisms of action for LCPUFA in allergy and respiratory disease are discussed.

Evaluation of bioequivalency and toxicological effects of three sources of arachidonic acid (ARA) in domestic piglets.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are routinely added to infant formula to support growth and development. We evaluated the bioequivalence and safety of three ARA-rich oils for potential use in infant formula using the neonatal pig model. The primary outcome for bioequivalence was brain accretion of ARA and DHA. Days 3-22 of age, domestic pigs were fed one of three formulas, each containing ARA at ∼0.64% and DHA at ∼0.34% total fatty acids (FA). Control diet ARA was provided by ARASCO and all diets had DHA from DHASCO (Martek Biosciences Corp., Columbia, MD). The experimental diets a1 and a2 provided ARA from Refined Arachidonic acid-rich Oil (RAO; Cargill, Inc., Wuhan, China) and SUNTGA40S (Nissui, Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), respectively. Formula intake and growth were similar across all diets, and ARA was bioequivalent across treatments in the brain, retina, heart, liver and day 21 RBC. DHA levels in the brain, retina and heart were unaffected by diet. Liver sections, clinical chemistry, and hematological parameters were normal. We conclude that RAO and SUNTGA40S, when added to formula to supply ∼0.64% ARA are safe and nutritionally bioequivalent to ARASCO in domestic piglets.

Growth and Development of Term Infants Fed Formulas with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) from Algal Oil or Fish Oil and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) from Fungal Oil

Growth and Development of Term Infants Fed Formulas with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) from Algal Oil or Fish Oil and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) from Fungal Oil

Adipose tissue fatty acids of piglets fed formulae varying in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic acid, and with longer chain N-3 fatty acids from fish oil

Abstract The effect of formula saturated fatty acid chain length 8:0+10:0, 12:0+14:0, or 16:0, 8:0+10:0 and 18:1, and 20:5 n−3+22:6 n−3 from fish oil on the adipose tissue fatty acids of piglets fed formula from birth for 18 days was studied. Adipose tissue 8:0+10:0 did not exceed 5.3% fatty acids even when the formula had 42.5%/8:0+10:0. The %14:0 in adipose tissue approximated that in the formula, 12:0 was present at about 50% the level in the formula. Formulae with 8:0+10:0, and to lesser extent 12:0+14:0, resulted in higher adipose %18:1, 18:2 n−6 and 18:3 n−3 than formulas with 16:0. It is suggested that portal-venous transport and oxidation of dietary 8:0, 10:0, 12:0 results in greater tissue retention of dietary 18:1, 18:2 n−6 and 18:3 n−3. 20:5 n−3 and 22:6 n−3 were stored in minimal amounts (0.2%, 0.3% respectively) in adipose tissue.

Biochemical and white blood cell profiles of baboon neonates consuming formulas with moderate and high dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Backgroundu2002 Clinical chemistry and complete blood count (CBC) values were determined in 14 term baboons (Papio species) consuming formula with moderate or high levels of dietary long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) from 2–12u2003weeks of age.