EFFECT OF DHA SUPPLEMENTATION IN PRETERM NEONATES ON WEIGHT GAIN AND DURATION OF HOSPITAL STAY

Dr Rajat Gupta; Dr Dheeraj Diwaakar; Dr Mahendra Kumar Jain; Dr Devendra Sareen; Dr Sonal Gupta

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2019

EFFECT OF DHA SUPPLEMENTATION IN PRETERM NEONATES ON WEIGHT GAIN AND DURATION OF HOSPITAL STAY

Dr Rajat Gupta, Dr Dheeraj Diwaakar, Dr Mahendra Kumar Jain, Dr Devendra Sareen, Dr Sonal Gupta

Abstract :

Long–chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC–PUFA) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are essential for normalgrowth, vision, neurodevelopment and overall health. In addition, DHA levels in very low birth weight(VLBW) infants remains low due to inadequate fat stores, ineffective conversion from precursor fatty acids and a limited postnatal nutritional supply. DHA and ARA (22– and 20–carbon LCPUFAs, respectively) may be obtained directly through the diet—oily fish for DHA, meat and eggs for ARA—or from their 18–carbon precursor FAs, α–linolenicacid (ALA) and linoleic acid.(1,2) Present study has tried to evaluate the effect of DHA on weight improvement of the low birth weight infants and length of hospital stay. By the end of 4th week, the mean weight gain was slightly better among cases than controls and mean duration of hospital stay was low among cases than controls. SUMMARY :– Long–chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC–PUFAs), especially DHA is very crucial for ain development during early life. 2. DHA supplementation is also associated with early recovery of critical neonates, as mean length of ICU and hospital stay was found to be shorter in DHA supplemented neonates. 3. DHA supplementation is associated with better weight gain at the end of 4 weeks