Relationship between DHA status at birth and child problem behaviour at 7 years of age

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2007 Jan;76(1):29-34. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2006.09.004. Epub 2006 Oct 30.

Abstract

Animal studies have demonstrated behavioural effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) deficiencies and in humans, several psychiatric disorders have been linked to abnormal essential fatty acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LC-PUFA status at birth and the later development of problem behaviour. In a sample of 393 children, higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at birth were associated with lower levels of internalising problem behaviour at age 7 years. The association was markedly present in the infants fed with artificial formula (n=215, Beta=-0.32, P=0.000), but absent in the infants fed with human milk (n=170, Beta=0.11, P=0.325). The associations between arachidonic acid and internalising or externalising behaviour were neither large nor significant. The results suggest that perinatal DHA status may have long-term behavioural consequences. Therefore, we suggest to include measures of problem behaviour in future trials of LC-PUFA supplementation of mothers and/or infants.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Feeding
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / etiology*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Infant Formula / pharmacology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male

Substances

  • Docosahexaenoic Acids