A Fatty Acids Study in Preventing Retinopathy of Prematurity
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Most fatty acids, important for development and especially the Omega-3 fatty acids for the
brain development are transferred in the third trimester with means that in the premature
infant this transport via the placenta is interrupted and the infant is dependent on the
concentrations in breast milk which vary depending on the mother's diet and her stores. It
has even been suggested that low Omega-3 would be a cause of premature delivery. Many
countries have much higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in breast milk than found in Sweden
and breast milk substitutions are generally now supplemented with the Long Chained Poly
Unsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA). Therefore the supplementation to be given can not be seen
to give any risks for the infant. On the contrary, several studies have shown that mother who
eat equal to or less than twice fish a week during pregnancy give birth to infants with
impaired development.
Low Omega-3 levels in premature infants between gestational ages of 23 and 40 weeks can be
one reason for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) development. Restoration of Omega-3,
Dokosahexaenacid (DHA) and Eikosapentaenacid (EPA) to normal in utero levels may prevent ROP
by allowing normal vessel growth and survival. An increase of Omega-3 levels bringing levels
to within physiological range may prevent development of ROP.