Higher DHA Levels in Breast Milk Benefit Newborn Behavior

9-22-2005 - A new study published in this month’s Journal of Pediatric Psychiatry revealed a positive correlation between DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels in breast milk and newborn neurobehavioral function.

These findings support numerous clinical studies showing that DHA, a long chain omega-3 fatty acid, plays an important role in infant mental and visual development. DHA can be transferred to developing babies if the mother has sufficient intake of DHA in her diet or supplements with omega-3 fatty acids.

The study, conducted at Texas Tech University, analyzed the DHA content of breast milk collected from 20 breastfeeding mothers nine days after delivery. At the same time, their infants were tested for their neurobehavioral functioning using the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), a commonly used behavioral test. Analysis revealed a positive correlation between DHA levels in the mother’s breast milk and their child’s NBAS score.

“This study is significant because it correlates higher DHA in breast milk to higher cognitive function at a very young age,” said study investigator Connye Kuratko, PhD, a registered dietitian formerly with Texas Tech University and now with Martek Biosciences. “Americans have among the lowest level of breast milk DHA in the world because of our diets, but pregnant and breastfeeding moms can safely ensure their baby is getting enough DHA simply by taking a DHA supplement. This study also underscores the importance of adding high levels of DHA to infant formula to ensure formulas provide enough of this important brain building nutrient.”

Developing infants cannot efficiently make their own DHA and must obtain it through their mother’s placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth. The amount of DHA in a mother’s diet determines the amount of DHA in her breast milk. This amount can be drastically increased if the mother supplements her diet with omega-3 supplements.

Dietary sources of DHA are limited primarily to fatty fish, making it difficult for most Americans to get enough DHA through diet alone. Moreover, pregnant and nursing women in the U.S have been cautioned by the U.S. FDA and EPA to limit their consumption of certain fish because of concerns about contamination. Today, American women have among the lowest levels of breast milk DHA in the world. For this reason, many women are encouraged to supplement their diet with fish oil concentrates.

Studies show that DHA supplementation while breastfeeding effectively increases DHA levels in the mother’s milk, as well as in the infant’s blood. One recent study published in the July issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that infants of mothers who supplemented with DHA during the first four months of breastfeeding had better psychomotor skills at 2 1/2 years of age.

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