Relationship between DHA status at birth and child problem behaviour at 7 years of age

Summary Animal studies have demonstrated behavioural effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) deficiencies and in humans, several psychiatric disorders have been linked to abnormal essential fatty acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LC-PUF...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 2007-01, Vol.76 (1), p.29-34
Main Authors: Krabbendam, L, Bakker, E, Hornstra, G, van Os, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advanced Basic Science
Biological and medical sciences
Breast Feeding
Child
Child Behavior Disorders - etiology
Docosahexaenoic Acids - metabolism
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Female
Fetal Blood - chemistry
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Infant Formula - pharmacology
Infant, Newborn
Male
Vertebrates: endocrinology
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Summary:Summary Animal studies have demonstrated behavioural effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) deficiencies and in humans, several psychiatric disorders have been linked to abnormal essential fatty acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between LC-PUFA status at birth and the later development of problem behaviour. In a sample of 393 children, higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at birth were associated with lower levels of internalising problem behaviour at age 7 years. The association was markedly present in the infants fed with artificial formula ( n = 215 , Beta=−0.32, P =0.000), but absent in the infants fed with human milk ( n = 170 , Beta=0.11, P =0.325). The associations between arachidonic acid and internalising or externalising behaviour were neither large nor significant. The results suggest that perinatal DHA status may have long-term behavioural consequences. Therefore, we suggest to include measures of problem behaviour in future trials of LC-PUFA supplementation of mothers and/or infants.
ISSN:0952-3278
1532-2823
DOI:10.1016/j.plefa.2006.09.004