Omega 3 fatty acids on child growth, visual acuity and neurodevelopment

Abstract

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effects of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) supplementation in pregnant and lactating women and infants during postnatal life, on the visual acuity, psychomotor development, mental performance and growth of infants and children. Eighteen publications (11 sets of randomized control clinical trial [RCTs]) assessed the effects of the n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy on neurodevelopment and growth, in the same subjects at different time points; 4 publications (2 data sets from RCTs) addressed physiological responses to n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy & lactation and 5 publications (3 data sets from RCTs) exclusively during lactation. Some of these studies showed beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation especially on visual acuity outcomes and some on long-term neurodevelopment; a few, showed positive effects on growth. There were also 15 RCTs involving term infants who received infant formula supplemented with DHA, which met our selection criteria. Many of these studies claimed a beneficial effect of such supplementation on visual, neural, or developmental outcomes and no effects on growth. Although new well designed and conducted studies are being published, evidence from RCTs does not demonstrate still a clear and consistent benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation on term infants growth, neurodevelopment and visual acuity. These results should be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations of the included studies.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and aquaculture in perspective

“…In term infants, DHA supplementation appears less effective suggesting that it is rectifying low DHA status that is effective rather than increasing "normal" DHA status (Campoy et al, 2012). There have also been several reports of potential beneficial effects of dietary DHA supplementation in a number of psychological/behavioural/ psychiatric disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression and, although there are some reports of benefits, there are insufficient studies and data to draw firm conclusions (Ortega et al, 2012).…”

“…However, in addition to protein, fish are also important dietary sources of minerals including iodine and selenium, and vitamins such as A, D and E (Tacon and Metian, 2013). Arguably, of greatest importance for consumers in the developed world, fish and seafood are unique and rich sources of omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA; acids (Tur et al, 2012), that have well-known and generally accepted beneficial effects in a range of human pathologies including cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and an important role in neural development Delgado-Lista et al, 2012;Campoy et al, 2012;Calder, 2013).…”

Effects of maternal n-3 fatty acid supplementation on placental cytokines, pro-resolving lipid mediators and their precursors

“…Maternal n-3 PUFA supplementation has also been shown in some studies to benefit the fetus/neonate by improving neurodevelopment and behavioural outcomes (Campoy et al 2012, Larque et al 2012, Rogers et al 2013 and reducing the risk of developing allergic diseases in childhood (Dunstan & Prescott 2005, Klemens et al 2011, Palmer et al 2012. Many of the potential benefits ascribed to n-3 PUFA can be attributed to their well-documented immunomodulatory/ anti-inflammatory actions (Calder 2013a).…”

Modulation of selenium tissue distribution and selenoprotein expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) fed diets with graded levels of plant ingredients

“…Among lipids, dietary n-3 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) have a range of beneficial effects in several pathological conditions, including CVD and neurological diseases, and some cancers (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) . The beneficial effects of fish have been generally attributed largely to the presence of n-3 LC-PUFA; however, fish provide significant levels of a number of other potentially protective components such as Se, a trace element that is essential for human health.…”