Docosahexaenoic acid status of preterm infants at birth and following feeding with human milk or formula

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status of preterm infants (< 32 wk gestation) was measured as the molar percent of DHA in individual red blood cell phospholipids: 1) in cord venous blood immediately following delivery, 2) after infants were receiving > 60 kcal · kg · day of energy from oral-gastric feedings, and 3) at a mean of 7 wk later. Infants on full feeding received either preterm human milk or formula. The DHA concentration of all phospholipid classes declined between birth and the time at which enteral feedings constituted the primary source of energy. Subsequent feeding with preterm human milk increased the molar percent of red blood cell phospholipid DHA, while DHA declined further in infants fed formula. Infants fed human milk compared to those fed formula had a significantly higher molar percent of DHA in all red blood cell phospholipids studied.