Infants fed docosahexaenoic acid- and arachidonic acid-supplemented formula have decreased incidence of bronchiolitis/bronchitis the first year of life

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2006 Nov;45(9):850-5. doi: 10.1177/1073858406289801.

Abstract

To assess the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid supplementation in infant formula on the incidence of respiratory illnesses, pediatricians assigned infants to receive docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid-supplemented formula or control formula. Anthropometrics, medical history, and illnesses were reported. Among 1342 infants, there was a higher incidence of bronchiolitis in control versus docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid-supplemented groups at 5, 7, and 9 months (P < .01). Weight, length, and head circumference were similar for both groups. Infants fed formula supplemented with 0.32% docosahexaenoic acid and 0.64% arachidonic acid experienced a lower incidence of bronchiolitis compared with infants fed formula supplemented with no docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid or lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid in the first year of life.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anthropometry
  • Arachidonic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Bronchiolitis / epidemiology
  • Bronchiolitis / prevention & control
  • Bronchitis / epidemiology*
  • Bronchitis / prevention & control*
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant Formula*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rhinitis / epidemiology
  • Rhinitis / prevention & control
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Arachidonic Acid