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Over The Horizon

Formulating Formula

A new infant formula containing long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids believed important in the early development of neurological processes has been launched, designed for infants from birth to three months.

Dr Murray Skeaff, from the Department of Human Nutrition at Otago University, says there is evidence of positive effects of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, known as LCPs, particularly on visual function, especially for preterm infants that are not breast-fed.

"Breast-fed babies have higher levels of long chain polyunsaturates than infants fed a standard formula," Skeaff says. "More studies need to be conducted in full-term infants before the full benefits on visual function can be confirmed, though at this stage it may be prudent to provide a dietary source of long chain polyunsaturates at levels equivalent to that found in breast milk."

Skeaff was a member of a review panel of Australian and New Zealand nutrition experts which looked at the special needs of the infant diet and the role of long chain polyunsaturates in development. One of the key issues discussed was the evidence that shows breast-fed infants perform better neurologically than infants fed standard term formula.

Another study has shown an improvement in visual acuity and better neural responses for infants fed a formula supplemented with long chain polyunsaturates, compared to those fed a standard infant formula. The benefits were especially evident among infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation.

"Until there is more data available on the use of long chain polyunsaturates in infant formula, we may need to rely on the composition of breast milk from well-nourished mothers as a guide to dietary recommendations for infants," says Dr Robert Gibson from the Child Nutrition Research Centre in Adelaide.

Humans initially obtain long chain polyunsaturates from the diet through the placenta and then from breast milk. As adults we maintain a supply of long chain polyunsaturates by synthesising them in the body and also by including seafood, eggs and meat in the diet.

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential to all living beings as components of cell membranes. In infants they are structural components of the brain and eye cells and play a potentially important role in the development of mental and visual function. Certain long chain polyunsaturates are also used to make prostaglandins, which affect tissue functions.

"There is evidence to suggest that formula-fed infants are unable to synthesise their full requirement of long chain polyunsaturates from precursors," says Dr Maria Makrides, of the University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide.

"While not all long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential in the diet, they do help to attain and maintain optimal health and have a specific role in developing neural function of infants."