'DHA to babies reduce mental risks'

An Australian researchers team have claimed that they have proved that giving premature babies

doses of an omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA can stop the development of mental retardation.

The University of Adelaide research team, which studied over 650 babies over a six-year period, said they found that giving the DHA nutrient to pre-term babies reduced the incidence of mental delay by between 40 and 50 per cent.

Babies get the extra DHA through breast milk by their mother taking a fish-oil capsule or adding it to infant formula.

Bob Gibson from the University said babies who were given the extra DHA showed remarkable results and that increased doses of DHA for premature babies should become a standard treatment around the world.

"I know that international colleagues have been very enthusiastic and have been trying to institute changes in their neonatal units," he said.

"And I think that in a year from now the standard level of DHA in infant formulas is raised three or four times," he added.