There is no evidence that PUFA supplementation in infancy has an effect on infant or childhood allergy , asthma , dermatitis/eczema or food allergy .
However , the quality of evidence was very low .
There was insufficient evidence to determine an effect on allergic rhinitis
BACKGROUND Early dietary intakes may influence the development of allergic disease .
It is important to determine if dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) given as supplements or added to infant formula prevent the development of allergy .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of higher PUFA intake during infancy to prevent allergic disease .
Fatty acid absorption in preterms on formulas with and without long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and in terms on formulas without these added
Background / objective : Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects in preterm neurophysiological development and are semi-essential . Their levels and variation in plasma and red cells in term and preterms are better known than their intestinal absorption . In this paper the absorption of supplemented arachidonic acid ( AA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) is evaluated in a preterm group . Design : Four newborn r and omized groups were studied . Group T comprised 11 terms on regular formula . Preterms : group P ( n=9 ) was on a classic preterm formula . Intervention : groups PA ( n=9 ) and PB ( n=13 ) were on the same formula but PB contained AA and DHA in similar proportion to breast milk . At 20 days a 3 day metabolic balance was taken for Ca , Pi , Mg , total fat and individual fatty acids ( C8–C24 , saturated unsaturated ) . Results : Calcium absorption was ( mean±s.d . ) 51±13 % in terms . In preterms it was respectively 45±18 , 38±11 and 37±21 % . Total fat absorption was 92.0±8.0 % in terms , and from 95.0±2.0 to 91.0±8.0 % in preterms . Absorption of 8:0 , 10:0 and 12:0 showed a very high and constant rate despite significant intake differences ( 715–33 mg/kg/day ) . Linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid were absorbed in the three groups at around 94 % regardless of a greater LA intake in group P. Details of absorption ( mg/kg/day ) were : for AA , intake 17±7 , fecal excretion 5±4 , net retention 12±5 ( 75.0±18 % ) ; for DHA , intake 10±3 , fecal excretion 3±2 , net retention 6±4 ( 62.3±30 % ) . Conclusion : Intestinal absorption of fatty acids is high and is comparable in terms and preterms as regards the studied acids . Longer acids were less well absorbed . The supplemented amounts of AA and DHA  were less well absorbed and probably not impairing calcium absorption . Sponsorship : University of Alicante , University of Miguel Hernández . European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ( 2001 ) 55 ,
There is no evidence that PUFA supplementation in infancy has an effect on infant or childhood allergy , asthma , dermatitis/eczema or food allergy .
However , the quality of evidence was very low .
There was insufficient evidence to determine an effect on allergic rhinitis
BACKGROUND Early dietary intakes may influence the development of allergic disease .
It is important to determine if dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) given as supplements or added to infant formula prevent the development of allergy .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of higher PUFA intake during infancy to prevent allergic disease .