Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplements Do Not Reduce BPD Risk

Enteral supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid does not improve respiratory outcomes for extremely premature infants.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent morbidity of extreme prematurity and can be triggered by inflammation. After preterm birth, placental transfer of the n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is lost, and blood levels decrease. Dietary supplementation with DHA has been proposed as an intervention to suppress the inflammatory response and prevent BPD.

Investigators at 13 centers in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore assessed risk for BPD in 1273 extremely preterm infants (gestational age <29 weeks) who were randomized to receive enteral emulsion with DHA (60 mg/kg/day) or soy (control) until 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The primary outcome was physiological BPD, defined by the need for …

Reviewing Author

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplements Do Not Reduce BPD Risk

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Reviewing Author