Umbilical cord PUFA are determined by maternal and child fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genetic variants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Maternal fatty acids in pregnancy, FADS polymorphisms, and child intelligence quotient at 8 y of age

BACKGROUND

Brain tissue is selectively enriched with highly unsaturated fatty acids (FAs). Altering the maternal FA status in pregnancy may improve fetal neural development with lasting consequences for child development.

OBJECTIVE

We explored whether maternal FAs in erythrocytes, either measured directly or indirectly by maternal FADS genetic variants, are associated with child intelligence quotient (IQ).

DESIGN

Linear regression analyses, adjusted for 18 confounders, were used to investigate the associations in 2839 mother-child pairs from the population-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort.

RESULTS

Low levels of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) were associated with lower performance IQ (-2.0 points; 95% CI: -3.5, -0.6 points; P = 0.007, increased R² = 0.27%), high levels of osbond acid (22:5n-6) were associated with verbal IQ (-1.8 points; 95% CI: -3.2, -0.4 points; P = 0.014, R² = 0.20%), and high levels of adrenic acid (22:4n-6) were associated with verbal IQ (-1.7 points; 95% CI:-3.1, -0.3 points; P = 0.016, R² = 0.19%). There was some evidence to support a negative association of low docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) with full-scale IQ (R² = 0.15%). Novel weak associations were also observed for low levels of osbond acid (R² ≤ 0.29%) and FADS variants with opposite effects for intron variants and variants in the promoter region such as rs3834458 (R² ≤ 0.38%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the positive role of maternal arachidonic acid and DHA on fetal neural development, although the effects on child IQ by 8 y of age were small (0.1 SD), with other factors contributing more substantially. The endogenous synthesis of these FAs by FADS genes, especially FADS2, may also be important. The replication of these results is recommended.

Does docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in term infants enhance neurocognitive functioning in infancy?

The proposal that dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enhances neurocognitive functioning in term infants is controversial. Theoretical evidence, laboratory research and human epidemiological studies have convincingly demonstrated that DHA deficiency can negatively impact neurocognitive development. However, the results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DHA supplementation in human term-born infants have been inconsistent. This article will (i) discuss the role of DHA in the human diet, (ii) explore the physiological mechanisms by which DHA plausibly influences neurocognitive capacity, and (iii) seek to characterize the optimal intake of DHA during infancy for neurocognitive functioning, based on existing research that has been undertaken in developed countries (specifically, within Australia). The major observational studies and RCTs that have examined dietary DHA in human infants and animals are presented, and we consider suggestions that DHA requirements vary across individuals according to genetic profile. It is important that the current evidence concerning DHA supplementation is carefully evaluated so that appropriate recommendations can be made and future directions of research can be strategically planned.

An update on adding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) to baby formula

Human milk is the ideal food providing optimal nutrition for healthy term infants. Its complex lipid composition is critical for infant growth and serves as a golden standard for baby formula development. Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n- 3, DHA) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 n- 6, AA) are the two major long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in human milk. In humans, they are fundamental components of the cell membrane and play an important role in neurite growth and signal transmission. Their importance for both preterm and term infants has been demonstrated by various clinical trials. DHA and AA supplementation shows desirable influences on visual and cognitive development in early life and is additionally associated with potential benefits on later health. Further clinical data revealed that supplementing both DHA and AA instead of DHA alone during infancy is important to deliver the optimal outcome. In this review, we summarize current research and scientific evidence of DHA and AA on baby development.