June 10

The relationship and effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the developing fetal central nervous system (CNS) and sleeping pattern outcomes in infancy have remained unexplored. Researchers conducted a study to investigate whether CNS integrity in newborns (measured by their sleeping patterns) was correlated with maternal concentrations of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), in particular DHA. Researchers conclude that sleep patterns of infants born to mothers with higher plasma phospholipid DHA levels reflect a greater CNS maturity.