Introduction
ROP, MDM
SECONDARY, RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY
Extremely preterm infants (born <28 weeks’ gestation) often show low postnatal levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) associated with an increased risk for neonatal morbidities [Fortification of intravenous lipid emulsions and enteral supplementation have been assessed as ways to improve LCPUFA status in preterm infants [The Mega Donna Mega (MDM) trial recently investigated the effect of enteral supplementation with AA:DHA (2:1 ratio) on the outcome of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely preterm infants. Daily supplementation from birth to term equivalent age significantly reduced the risk for severe ROP by 50% and increased the molar fractions of AA and DHA in serum phospholipids [In this secondary analysis of the MDM trial, we aimed to investigate infants’ serum complete fatty acid profiles over the first months of life, expressed in relative and absolute units, and how the profiles were modulated by the administration of parenteral lipids and enteral AA:DHA supplementation.