Question:
Which of the following plays a significant role in foetal and infant early growth and development ?
Which of the following plays a significant role in foetal and infant early growth and development ?
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Always associate DHA with brain and eye development in babies. This is why prenatal vitamins and infant formulas are heavily fortified with DHA.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Partially hydrogenated Vegetable oils (PHVO)
- Linoleic acid (LA)
- Monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA)
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Essential fatty acids are critical structural and functional components of cell membranes, particularly in fast-growing tissues.
During gestation and early infancy, certain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are vital for neurological and physiological development.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that plays a highly specialized role in early development:
- DHA is a major structural lipid in the human brain and the retina of the eye.
- During the third trimester of pregnancy and the first two years of life, there is a rapid accumulation of DHA in the fetal and infant brain.
- Adequate maternal and infant intake of DHA is critical for optimal cognitive function, visual acuity, and overall neural pathway development.
Let us evaluate why other options are incorrect:
- Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (PHVO): These contain industrial trans-fats, which are highly detrimental to fetal health and cardiovascular development.
- Linoleic Acid (LA): While LA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, it must be converted into longer-chain derivatives, and does not have the same direct, specialized structural role in brain development as DHA.
- Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs): Useful for general energy and cardiovascular health, but not specifically critical for neonatal neurological development.
Thus, DHA is the most critical nutrient among the choices.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a significant role in fetal and infant early growth and development.
Essential fatty acids are critical structural and functional components of cell membranes, particularly in fast-growing tissues.
During gestation and early infancy, certain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are vital for neurological and physiological development.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that plays a highly specialized role in early development:
- DHA is a major structural lipid in the human brain and the retina of the eye.
- During the third trimester of pregnancy and the first two years of life, there is a rapid accumulation of DHA in the fetal and infant brain.
- Adequate maternal and infant intake of DHA is critical for optimal cognitive function, visual acuity, and overall neural pathway development.
Let us evaluate why other options are incorrect:
- Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (PHVO): These contain industrial trans-fats, which are highly detrimental to fetal health and cardiovascular development.
- Linoleic Acid (LA): While LA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid, it must be converted into longer-chain derivatives, and does not have the same direct, specialized structural role in brain development as DHA.
- Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFAs): Useful for general energy and cardiovascular health, but not specifically critical for neonatal neurological development.
Thus, DHA is the most critical nutrient among the choices.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a significant role in fetal and infant early growth and development.
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