Grant: Operating Grant

Every year in Canada, 1500 babies who are born early (prematurely) develop a serious lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD causes major health problems in these infants, especially in their early childhood. In most situations, breast-milk is the ideal source of nutrition for growth and development of premature babies. However, diets of Canadian mothers are generally deficient in omega-3 lipids (essential fats), resulting in lower protection from these omega-3 lipids in mother's milk-fed infants. Previous research has shown that giving docosahexaenoic acid (or DHA, an omega-3 lipid) to mothers of premature babies is safe both for the mother and for their baby, and is an efficient way of helping babies meet their dietary requirements from breast-milk. Furthermore, this previous research also suggests that this intervention may reduce the risk of BPD in premature babies receiving breast-milk. In order to prove this, 800 mothers of prematurely born babies will be invited to participate in a large Canadian study during which they will take either DHA supplements or a placebo, daily, shortly after the birth of their premature baby. This study will determine whether this intervention works in reducing BPD, as well as if it improves the development and growth of premature babies during the early childhood years. Positive results from this study will provide a simple, non-invasive treatment for reducing the incidence and serious health consequences of BPD in premature babies