At what age should children be supplemented with DHA?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by MSc.BS.Huynh Bao Toan - Neonatologist, Vinmec Nha Trang General Hospital. The doctor has 13 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics.

1. What is DHA?

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid that the human body cannot produce on its own, but must be supplemented from outside, mainly through food. The role of DHA is very important in the development of children, especially in the period from 0 to 6 years old, directly affecting the signal exchange between neurons, the formation of retinal nerve tissue cells. conjunctiva and cardiovascular system.

2. Role of DHA and calcium supplements for children:

The reason DHA is an indispensable nutrient for children's brain development is because DHA accounts for a very high percentage of gray matter and creates the sensitivity of neurons, helping information to be transmitted quickly and accurately. . Without enough DHA, children may have a lower IQ than children of the same age who are supplemented with DHA.

If the bone development of young children is often associated with calcium supplements, few people know that DHA also plays a very important role in the construction of a child's skeleton by balancing calcium levels, affecting to the generation and activity of osteoblasts

3. How should DHA supplements be given to children for comprehensive development?

There is no denying the importance of DHA nutrients for the development of children, but DHA supplementation also needs to be reasonable and depends on the age of the child:
During pregnancy: pregnant women need to supplement about 200 mg DHA per day through DHA-rich food sources such as fish (2-3 days/week) or doctor-recommended dairy products DHA supplement for 6-month-old infants: from birth to 6 months of age The main source of DHA for babies is breast milk. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is very important to ensure adequate intake of DHA along with other essential nutrients. Supplementing DHA for 1 year old baby: 6-12 months old is an important time to supplement DHA because this is the period when the baby's brain develops at the highest rate, which can be up to 3 times higher than at birth. . At this time, children also need strong bones to take their first steps and reach a standard height.

Supplementing DHA for the period 1-5 years old: the amount of DHA needed for children every day is about 100 mg from foods as well as a combination of folic acid supplements for brain development and eye protection, combined with nano calcium. , vitamin D3 , MK7 to increase bone mass and increase resistance . For children over 6 years old starting school time, the brain needs to be more active to absorb knowledge, the DHA content needs to be supplemented with about 100-125 mg. Thus, depending on the age of the child, the need for DHA is different, but parents need to pay special attention to supplementing with DHA in the first stage of their child's life to help them develop comprehensively.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors Regular check-ups, early detection of abnormalities The package pregnancy helps to facilitate convenient for the birthing process Newborns are taken care of comprehensively. HDA deficiency can cause dangerous complications for children's health and mental health, so parents need to observe and timely supplement this important source of vitamin.
In addition to dietary supplements, parents can give their children support foods containing vitamin B1 and essential micro-minerals such as zinc, lysine, chromium, selenium, ... to help fully meet their needs. nutritional needs in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
>> Parents can learn more: What is DHA? Instructions on how to supplement DHA for mothers and babies. The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Thai Bang - Dean and Specialist II Huynh Thi Hien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital
Please visit Vinmec website often .com and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.