Abstract 203

Objective: To investigate whether there is a relationship between the level of DHA supplementation, plasma phospholipid DHA and VEP acuities in preterm infants. Subjects: 10 preterm infants received human milk (HM), and 26 were randomized to receive one of 3 preterm infant formulas which differed in their DHA contents only (A: 0.54%, B: 0.35%, C: 0.03%). Formula or HM was fed exclusively until the postconceptional age(PCA) of 48 weeks. Measurements: Plasma phospholipid composition was determined 28 days after study onset. At 48 weeks PCA transient VEPs were performed. 7 different check sizes (11 - 57') were presented (1 Hz) and amplitudes plotted against log (visual angle). Extrapolation of a regression line through 0 µV amplitude gave the log(MAR) or VEP acuity.

Results: DHA-contents in study formulas and human milk and VEP acuities at 48 weeks PCA Table VEP acuities were similar in groups A, B and HM, but significantly lower in infants fed formula C. Plasma phospholipid DHA on study day 28 correlated significantly with VEP acuity (r = -0.435, p = 0.009). Conclusion: DHA supplementation improves visual acuity in preterm infants. Providing more DHA than found in HM offers no further advantage regarding VEP acuity.

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