Table 4.
Results from linear regression models for the association between docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in breast milk and infant formula weighted by feeding method for the first 4 post‐natal months and Mullen Scales of Early Learning scores, PIN 2001–2006 [from PIN (1995–2006)] Babies Study (n = 266)
| Mullen Scales of Early Learning | DHA in breast milk and formula (continuous) | AA in breast milk and formula (continuous) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| β (CI) (unadjusted)*, † | β (CI) (adjusted) ‡ | β (CI) (unadjusted)*, † | β (CI) (adjusted) ‡ | |
| Gross motor | 1.3 (−0.7, 3.2) | 1.1 (−0.9, 3.1) | 1.4 (−0.9, 3.6) | 1.2 (−1.1, 3.4) |
| Visual reception | −0.2 (−2.0, 1.7) | −0.1 (−2.0, 1.8) | 0.8 (−1.3, 2.8) | 0.7 (−1.3, 2.8) |
| Fine motor | 0.5 (−1.4, 2.3) | 0.2 (−1.7, 2.0) | 0.3 (−1.7, 2.4) | 0.0 (−2.0, 2.0) |
| Receptive language | 0.3 (−1.0, 1.5) | −0.1 (−1.4, 1.2) | 0.4 (−1.0, 1.9) | 0.3 (−1.2, 1.7) |
| Expressive language | −0.2 (−1.6, 1.2) | −0.6 (−2.1, 0.8) | 1.0 (−0.6, 2.7) | 0.7 (−0.9, 2.3) |
| Composite | −0.0 (−2.3, 2.2) | −0.5 (−2.7, 1.7) | 1.2 (−1.3, 3.7) | 0.9 (−1.5, 3.4) |
AA, arachidonic acid; CI, confidence interval; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid. *Unadjusted models include a variable for laboratory. †Beta coefficient represents a change in fatty acid concentration of 1.0%. ‡Adjusted models include laboratory, feeding method for the first four post‐natal months, infant sex, parity, smoking, education, race/ethnicity and preterm status.