Feeding preterm milk with higher levels of DHA does not influence language or behaviour in early childhood

A follow-up Australian study of preterm infants enrolled in the DINO (Docosahexaenoic acid for the Improvement in Neurodevelopmental Outcome) trial has found that feeding preterm milks with higher levels of DHA than that currently available does not improve language at age 26 months, nor behaviour or temperament at age 3-5 years (1).  

Preterm infants generally have poorer language development and  more difficult behaviours and temperaments  than infants born full term. Infants in this follow-up study were enrolled when the DINO trial began in 2003 and were born <33 weeks gestation. They were divided into 2 groups and  fed either breast milk or pretern infant formula containing either about 1% of total fatty acids as DHA ( high dose group) or about 0.3% DHA ( control group) until term corrected age. 128 of the original 143 infants participated in the language followup at 26 months and 125 in the behaviour follow-up at 3-5 years. Language was measured using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory ( MCDI) which looked at vocabulary, irregular words and sentence complexity. Behaviour was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire which looked at emotional behaviours, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer problems and social behaviour. Temperament was measured using the Short Temperament Scale for Children (STSC) which looked at how the child approached new people, how persistant they were at doing difficult tasks, how they adjusted to challenges and their routines.

Compared to the controls, there was no noticeable change in language, behaviour or temperament in those infants fed the higher DHA preterm milk feeds. This is in contrast to the positive effect at 18 months of age, of higher levels of DHA in preterm milks on mental development (2). More longer term studies with a greater number of participants may be needed to assess further if there is any effect. This is the first time a study has reported on DHA supplementation and its effect on the development of preterm infants over 2 years of age.

References

1. Smithers LG, Collins CT et al. Feeding preterm infants with a higher does of docosahexaenoic acid than that used in current practice does not influence lange or behavior in early childhood: a follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91:628-34

2. Makrides M, Gibson RA et al. Neurodevelopment outcomes of preterm infants fed high doses of docosahexaenoic acid. JAMA 2009;301(2):175-182  ( see HeinzSight Newswire post Jan 2009)