Higher amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in breast milk is related to higher visual acuity in infants

This graph shows the positive impact of the children’s intake of Omega-3 fatty acids through breast-feeding, on children’s visual development in general from 2 months up to 12 months old.

83 newborn babies were breast-fed for at least 3 months. Their visual acuity was assessed, where the baby showed a reliable and consistent fixation response based on his or her looking behaviour at different test distances. The amount of the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA in red blood cells is significantly related to visual acuity at 2 months and 12 months of age, demonstrating how important it is for babies to be able to take Omega-3 fatty acids from their mother for maximum visual development potential.


 

Reprinted from: The Journal of Paediatrics 139(4), Innis SM, Gilley J, Werker J. Are human milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids related to visual and neural development in breast-fed terms infants? 2001: 532-538, with permission from Elsevier.

Link to the study