DHA reduces disorders in premature infants

Findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association show that high doses of docosahexaenoic acid-dominant omega-3 fatty  acids administered to premature infants via their mother's breast milk  can reduce the risk of developmental disorders.

In a six-year study involving 657 premature infants, researchers found  the lipid DHA is not developed sufficiently in premature infants,  leading to possible impaired mental development. To offset this  omega-3 deficiency, 1,000mg DHA supplements were given to lactating  mothers with pre-term infants. Some of these were fed supplemental  formula with matching DHA levels.

Approximately 50% fewer infants on high-DHA diets experienced delayed  mental development compared to those on low-DHA diets. Infants weighing  one-third the weight of a full-term baby who were fed high-DHA diets  scored better on mental development tests, with a 40% reduction in the  incidence of mild mental delay.