Three Randomized Controlled Trials of Early Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Means-End Problem Solving in 9-Month-Olds

  1. James Drover1,
  2. Dennis R. Hoffman2,
  3. Yolanda S. Castañeda2,
  4. Sarah E. Morale2,
  5. Eileen E. Birch3

Article first published online: 14 SEP 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01339.x

Issue

Child Development

Child Development

Volume 80, Issue 5, pages 1376–1384, September/October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Drover, J., Hoffman, D. R., Castañeda, Y. S., Morale, S. E. and Birch, E. E. (2009), Three Randomized Controlled Trials of Early Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Means-End Problem Solving in 9-Month-Olds. Child Development, 80: 1376–1384. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01339.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas and Memorial University

  2. 2

    Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas

  3. 3

    Retina Foundation of the Southwest and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas

* concerning this article should be addressed to James R. Drover, Department of Psychology, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada A1B 3X9. Electronic mail may be sent to jrdrover@mun.ca.

  1. The authors thank the newborn nursery and postpartum care staffs of Margot Perot Women's and Children's Hospital at Presbyterian Medical Center of Dallas and of Medical City, Dallas for their collaboration. The authors are also grateful for the continuing pediatric support from Pediatric Associates of Dallas, Woodhill Pediatric Associates, North Dallas Pediatrics, Clinical Associates, and other participating pediatricians. The original studies quoted in this article were supported by Grant HD22380 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Mead Johnson Nutritionals (Evansville, IN) donated all infant formulas for the studies. Drs. Hoffman and Birch have received research funding from Mead Johnson Nutritionals for subsequent studies not reported here. Dr. Hoffman has subsequently received consultant fees from Mead Johnson Nutritionals to provide educational seminars to pediatricians and pediatric nutritionists.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 14 SEP 2009
Corrected by:

Addendum: Addendum

Vol. 83, Issue 6, 2139, Article first published online: 16 NOV 2012

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (89K)

This study examines whether feeding infants formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) improves cognitive function of 9-month-olds. Participants included 229 infants from 3 randomized controlled trials. Children received either formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, or a control formula beginning at 1–5 days (12-month feeding study), or following 6 weeks (6-week-weaning study) or 4–6 months of breastfeeding (4-to 6-month weaning study). Infants were assessed with a 2-step problem solving task. In the 12-month feeding and 6-week weaning studies, supplemented children had more intentional solutions (successful task completions) and higher intention scores (goal-directed behaviors) than controls. These results suggest that LCPUFA supplementation improves means-end problem solving.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (89K)