DHA IN CHILDREN

Body stores of DHA :

Over the first 6 months of life, DHA accumulates at about 10 mg/d in the whole body of breast–fed infants with 48% of that amount appearing in the brain. To achieve that rate of accumulation, breast–fed infants need to consume a minimum of 20 mg DHA/d. Virtually all breast milk provides a DHA intake of at least 60 mg/d though it may be variable. Thus a store of about 1050 mg of DHA in body fat at term birth is present (8).

DHA (food) concentrations in breast milk range from 0.07% - >1.0% of total fatty acids with a mean of 0.34% depending on maternal DHA intake (1). A working group from the ISSFAL (International Society for the study of Fatty Acids & Lipids) has recommended 300 mg/day of DHA for pregnant and lactating women to achieve good fetal DHA stores (9) as during pregnancy, fetus depends completely on maternal sources of DHA. During infancy DHA needs of the baby are met through breast milk. During early childhood, DHA requirement are met by consumption of DHA rich food. However it has been found that DHA in average diet is very little due to westernization of diet as well poor intake of fish in diet, vegetarians who do not take even eggs or milk products, can only obtain DHA through the very limited conversion of dietary ALA. (10). In Canadian children between 4-7 year of age and not living near a marine environment, dietary intakes of DHA & AA are relatively low. Retinal and neuronal development continues throughout childhood, therefore it is conceivable that low intake a AA and DHA may have negative impact (11). Most Indians consume omega–6 and omega-3 fatty acids in ratio of 30-70:1 but ideal ratio is 5-10:1 for optimal health benefits (12).