Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and time at achievement of gross motor milestones in healthy infants: a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Study answer

What this study found

DHA supplementation produced a small earlier attainment of sitting without support, but it did not significantly change later gross motor milestones. Sitting without support occurred at a median of 26 weeks with DHA versus 27 weeks with placebo (P < 0.0001; adjusted hazard ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). Hands-and-knees crawling was 39 versus 40 weeks (P = 0.090), standing alone 49 versus 49 weeks (P = 0.075), and walking alone 55 versus 56 weeks (P = 0.060). No adverse events related to the intervention were observed.

Study & population

Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy term singleton infants in northern Italy.

Intervention

Daily oral docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation was given as 1 mL of liquid study preparation containing 20 mg DHA and 400 IU vitamin D3, started within 24 hours after discharge and continued throughout the first year of life.

Key limitation

The clinically meaningful impact of the 1-week earlier sitting milestone is uncertain, and there were no significant benefits for later gross motor milestones.

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Original abstract