Role of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Infant Growth and Development

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) have potential roles and functional effects during early human growth and development, under the perspective of preventive nutrition. LCPUFA sources and the metabolism of essential fatty acids (EFA) and their metabolites, and differences between breast-fed and formula-fed infants, are addressed. Available information is reviewed on the influence of LCPUFAs on infant growth and the development of visual and other neural functions in healthy, full-term infants. Although LCPUFAs play delicate and important roles in the nutrition of preterm infants, data obtained in preterm infants is discussed only when parallel data obtained in full-term infants are not available.