DHA in Children - Effects of DHA on Brain,Vision

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DHA IN CHILDREN

DHA Introduction

Body Stores of DHA

Effects of DHA

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DHA Trivia

DHA and Diet

DHA and Infections

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Dietary Recommendations

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Other Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

DHA IN CHILDREN AND CHRONIC DISEASES

Action of DHA

DHA and Cardiovascular effects

DHA and Mental health

DHA in Chronic Pediatric Disorders and other effects of DHA

DHA IN CHILDREN FAQ'S

About DHA Supplementation

About vegetarian sources of DHA

About Upper Limit of DHA intake

Does cooking decrease the DHA content of food

About to give infant formula fortified with DHA

DHA IN CHILDREN

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DHA Introduction

Body Stores of DHA

Effects of
DHA

Effects of DHA :

Brain : DHA is one of the major building structure of membrane phospholipids of brain. Epidemiological studies have linked low maternal DHA to increased risk of poor child neural development and intervention studies have shown decrease in risk of poor neural development (13). Neurodevelopment and cognitive abilities are enhanced by n-3 PUFA through breast milk or DHA-fortified food (14). Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that increased intake of DHA may confer benefits in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders and in particular neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, it may also have significant neuroprotective potential in acute neurological injury (15).

Vision : Light sensitivity of retinal rod photoreceptors is significantly reduced in newborns with DHA deficiency and DHA supplements significantly enhance visual acuity maturation (3).

Hyperlipidemia in children : Recent research shows that DHA supplementation restores endothelial – dependant flow – mediated dilatation in hyperlipidemic children and has potential for preventing progression of early coronary heart disease in high risk children (16).

Other effects : Though DHA has been tried for behavioral alteration in children with autism its role still remains undefined (17). DHA had been found to inhibit growth of human colon carcinoma cells but its role in treatment of cancer remains undefined (18).

Conclusion :

DHA is an omega 3 essential fatty acid indispensable for functions of brain and retina. In infants and children, better mental processing scores, psychomotor development and stereo acuity are associated with DHA intake (6). Diet being poor in DHA in pre-schoolers and non-breast led infants, DHA fortified food helps to maintain plasma phospholipids DHA content in children.

References :

1. Docosahexaenoic acid - Wikipedia. Available at URL http://en.wikipedia.org. Accessed on 25th November 2009.

2. ISSFAL: 2009, January, ISSFAL Official Statement Number 5 “α–Linolenic Acid Supplementation and Conversion to n-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Humans.

3. Uauy R, Hoffman DR, Peirano P, Birch DG, Birch EE. Essential fatty acids in visual and brain development. Lipids. 2001; 36: 885-895

4. Martinez M. Tissue levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids during early human development. J Pediatr. 1992; 120: S129-S138

5. Voss A, Reinhart M, Sankarappa S, Sprecher H. The metabolism of 7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid to 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid in rat liver is independent of a 4-desaturase. J Biol Chem. 1991; 266: 19995-20000

6. Singh M. Essential fatty acids, DHA and human brain. Indian J Pediatr. 2005; 72: 239-242

7. Carper J. Your miracle brain, Harper collins, New York, 2000.

8. Cunnane SC, Francescutti V, Brenna JT, Crawford MA. Breast-fed infants achieve a higher rate of brain and whole body docosahexaenoate accumulation than formula-fed infants not consuming dietary docosahexaenoate. Lipids. 2000; 35: 105-111.

9. Denomme J, Stark KD, Holub BJ. Directly quantitated dietary (n-3) fatty acid intakes of pregnant Canadian women are lower than current dietary recommendations. J Nutr. 2005; 135: 206-211

10. Davis BC, Kris-Etherton PM. Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003; 78 (3 Suppl): 640S-646S

11. Lien VW, Clandinin MT. Dietary assessment of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intake in 4-7 year-old children. J Am Coll Nutr. 2009; 28: 7-15

12. WHO and FAO joint consultation: fats and oils in human nutrition. Nutr Rev. 1995; 53: 202-205

13. Innis SM. Dietary omega 3 fatty acids and the developing brain. Brain Res. 2008; 1237: 35-43

14. Dangour AD, Uauy R. N-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for optimal function during brain development and ageing. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008; 17 Suppl 1: 185-188

15. Dyall SC, Michael-Titus AT. Neurological benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Neuromolecular Med. 2008; 10: 219-235

16. Engler MM, Engler MB, Malloy M, Chiu E, Besio D, Paul S, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid restores endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia: results from the EARLY study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004; 42: 672-679.

17. Politi P, Cena H, Comelli M, Marrone G, Allegri C, Emanuele E, Ucelli di Nemi S. Behavioral effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in young adults with severe autism: an open label study. Arch Med Res. 2008 ; 39: 682-685

18. Kato T, Hancock RL, Mohammadpour H, McGregor B, Manalo P, Khaiboullina S, et al. Influence of omega-3 fatty acids on the growth of human colon carcinoma in nude mice. Cancer Lett. 2002; 187: 169-177

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