The Groningen LCPUFA study: No effect of short-term postnatal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in healthy term infants on cardiovascular and anthropometric development at 9 years

Abstract

Conflicting evidence exists on the effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) formula supplementation on cardiovascular health in term infants. It is known that LCPUFA supplementation does not affect infant growth, but long term outcome data are not available. The current study investigates whether 2 mo LCPUFA formula supplementation affects cardiovascular and anthropometric development at 9 y. A prospective, double-blind, randomized trial was performed in healthy term infants: a standard formula control group (CF, n = 169) and a LCPUFA-supplemented group [LF, n = 145; 0.45% (by wt) AA and 0.30% (by wt) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)]. A breastfed group (BF; n = 159) served as reference. At the age of 9 y, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, head circumference, weight, and height were measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed; 63 to 79% of children were assessed. None of the cardiovascular or anthropometric measurements differed between the formula groups. Breastfed children had a marginally lower heart rate than formula-fed children, in particular compared with children fed control formula. Blood pressure and parameters of growth including BMI of breast and formula-fed children did not differ. In conclusion, the study suggests that short-term LCPUFA supplementation does not influence cardiovascular and anthropometric development at 9 y.