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    The effect of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on illness in children up to 4 years of age

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    Issue Date
    2011-05-01
    Author
    Foiles, Amanda
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    94 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.S.
    Discipline
    Dietetics & Nutrition
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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    Abstract
    OBJECTIVES: Supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during the first year of life has been associated with a decreased incidence of illness in children. The need to determine the most effective dose of n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA for infants and children remains, especially in regards to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). METHODS: This study was a double-blind, 2-phase, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, prospective trial. The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate whether DHA and ARA supplemented infant formula affected visual evoked potential acuity in term infants. For the purposes of this thesis project, the outcome is illness as recorded through adverse events during the original study from birth to 4 years of age. One-hundred and fifty-nine infants were randomized into 4 groups of which 91 were eligible for medical record review. Infants were given milk-based infant formula containing no DHA (control formula, n=19), 0.32% DHA (n=25), 0.64% DHA (n=19), or 0.96% of total fatty acids as DHA (n=28). The study was controlled for ARA (0.64% of the total fatty acids) with a dose response to DHA - the control group received no DHA or ARA. RESULTS: Significantly fewer illnesses were seen in children supplemented with DHA and ARA when compared to the control during the first four years of life. Subjects receiving the formula that contained 0.96% DHA from fatty acids were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with any illness during the first year of life (p = 0.01) when compared to the control group. These subjects were also less likely to be diagnosed with respiratory diagnoses (p = 0.05), any allergy diagnoses (p = 0.003), combined wheeze/asthma/skin diagnoses (p = 0.003), and skin allergic illnesses (p = 0.02). Additionally, the 0.64% DHA group experienced fewer ears, eyes, nose, and throat diagnoses (p = 0.05) during the first year of life. CONCLUSIONS: DHA and ARA supplementation of infant formula was associated with a reduced incidence of overall diagnoses, respiratory diagnoses, allergic diagnoses, skin diagnoses, combined wheeze/asthma/skin allergic diagnoses, as well as skin allergic illness diagnoses in children up to 4 years of age.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/7917
    Collections
    • Education Dissertations and Theses [1065]
    • Theses [3827]

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    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
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    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
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    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

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