Premium
Three Randomized Controlled Trials of Early Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Means‐End Problem Solving in 9‐Month‐Olds
Author(s) -
Drover James,
Hoffman Dennis R.,
Castañeda Yolanda S.,
Morale Sarah E.,
Birch Eileen E.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01339.x
Subject(s) - weaning , polyunsaturated fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid , infant formula , arachidonic acid , randomized controlled trial , breastfeeding , cognition , pediatrics , psychology , medicine , fatty acid , biology , biochemistry , psychiatry , enzyme
This study examines whether feeding infants formula supplemented with long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) improves cognitive function of 9‐month‐olds. Participants included 229 infants from 3 randomized controlled trials. Children received either formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, or a control formula beginning at 1–5 days (12‐month feeding study), or following 6 weeks (6‐week‐weaning study) or 4–6 months of breastfeeding (4‐to 6‐month weaning study). Infants were assessed with a 2‐step problem solving task. In the 12‐month feeding and 6‐week weaning studies, supplemented children had more intentional solutions (successful task completions) and higher intention scores (goal‐directed behaviors) than controls. These results suggest that LCPUFA supplementation improves means‐end problem solving.