Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), arachidonic acid (AA omega-6; 20:4ω-6), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA omega-3; 22:6ω-3), are required for the formation of non-myelinated cell membranes in the central nervous system, including in the retina, hence the great importance of them for appropriate visual and cognitive development. In this study, the investigators assessed anthropometric, visual, auditory, and psychomotor development in very preterm infants who had diets supplemented with different LCPUFA amount of AA to support the importance of sufficient AA values in formula.
the investigators carried out a prospective randomized controlled double blinded trial in order to study nutritional supplements for preterm infants \<1500 grams and/or \<32 weeks gestational age (GA) who were born in clinical University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS). They were enrolled for a period of 14 months (from July 2011 to August 2012) and followed up from birth until 2 years of age. Milk formulas were provided either as adjunct to insufficient amount of breast milk, or as full formula feeding. Breastfeeding was actively encouraged. Patients were randomized into one of the two formula groups, depending on the type of formula they were to receive. Group A's formula was supplemented with DHA (0.3% of all fatty acids) and AA (0.6%) with an ω-6/ω-3 ratio of 2/1. Group B's formula was supplemented with DHA (0.3%) and AA (0.3%) with an ω-6/ω-3 ratio of 1/1. Primary outcome: Assessment of psychomotor development with the Brunet Lézine scale at 2 years of age (Early Care Unit CHUS) Secondary outcomes: Physical examination and anthropometric measurements (weight, length, and head circumference) at birth and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age (Neonatology Unit CHUS) Blood levels of fatty acids in the first week of life and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. (Metabolic Unit. Hospital de Cruces, Bilbao) Visual- and auditory-evoked potentials at 6 and 12 months of age (Neurophysiology Unit CHUS)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
TRIPLE
Group A will receive a preterm infants formula supplemented with AA (0.6%) and DHA (0.3%) until they have three months corrected age. At 3 and 6 months of corrected age, we changed the type of milk according to the nutritional requirements, but maintained the same ratio of AA and DHA (2/1) until one year corrected age.
Group B will receive other Preterm infants formula very similar, but with AA (0.3%) and DHA (0.3%) also until they have three months corrected age. At 3 and 6 months of corrected age, we changed the type of milk according to the nutritional requirements, but maintained the same ratio of AA and DHA (1/1) until one year corrected age.
Psychomotor development
Evaluation of psychomotor development by making Brunet-Lezine scale at 2 years of corrected age.
Time frame: From september 2013 to november 2014 (at two years of corrected age)
Levels of fatty acids in plasma
Blood samples were obtained from study children to study the levels of fatty acids in plasma at 3 , 6 and 12 months of life
Time frame: From october 2011 to november 2013 (from 3 months to 1 years old)
Visual- and auditory-evoked potentials
Visual- and auditory-evoked potentials were studied with special scale at 6 and 12 months of life
Time frame: From january 2012 to February 2013 (from 6 months to 1 years old)
Weight
Weight at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of life
Time frame: From october 2011 to november 2014 (from 6 months to 2 years old)
Length
Length at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of life
Time frame: From october 2011 to november 2014 (from 6 months to 2 years old)
Head circumference
Head circumference at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of life
Time frame: From october 2011 to november 2014 (from 6 months to 2 years old)
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Enrollment
45