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Oléagineux, Corps Gras, Lipides. Volume 14, Number 1, 25-7, Janvier-Février 2007, Dossier : LE DHA, acide gras oméga-3 majeur du cerveau

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Author(s) : Alexandre Lapillonne

Summary : N-3 Fatty acids are biologically important nutrients. One n-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, is an important component of neural and retinal membranes and accumulates rapidly in the brain and retina during the later part of gestation and early postnatal life. It is reasonable to hypothesize that n-3 fatty acid intakes might have significant effects on infant visual function and neurodevelopmental status. Over the last two decades a lot of interest has been expressed about the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) requirements of both preterm and term infants. The aim of this review is to synthesize the recent data on the importance of the LCPUFA metabolism and early nutrition on infant growth and development.

Keywords : newborns, DHA, growth, metabolism, neurological development, visual function