Objective: To study the influence of the dietary n 3 and n 6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with
20 or 22 carbon atoms (LCPFA) intake on the LCPFA status,
growth and development.
Methods: 32 preterm infants were divided into three groups which were fed respectively: A, breast milk (n=11); B, a conventional formula lacking LCP (n=10); C, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) enriched formula (n=11). The length, weight and head circumference of preterm infants were measured at 1 mo±7 d, 2 mo±7 d, 3 mo±7 d. LCPFA status of plasma and RBC were analyzed at birth and at the weight of (2.5±0.10) kg when group C was stopped being fed enriched formula. The experiment period was three months. Results: At 3 mo±7 d, head circumference of group B was significantly lower than that of group A and group C (P<0.05); at the weight of 2.5 kg, DHA and AA in plasma and erythrocyte of group B were significantly lower than group A and group C (P<0.05). There was significantly positive correlation between AA levels of plasma and head circumference (r=0.466, P<0.01). Conclusion: Adding DHA and AA to formulas in amounts similar to those found in preterm breast milk can raise both DHA and AA status of preterm infants to the levels found in human milk fed preterm infants, and let these infants grow better.