Table 3 Plasma arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels (in mol%) and n-6:n-3 ratio in VLBW infants according to selected neonatal morbidities (n = 480)

Small for gestational age

No

338

9.46 (2.10)

2.61 (0.87)

5.53 (1.20)

Yes

142

9.48 (2.30)

2.60 (0.99)

5.60 (1.38)

Respiratory distress syndrome

No

246

9.71 (2.19)

2.74 (0.95)

5.66 (1.21)

Yes

234

9.22 (2.09)**

2.47 (0.91)***^,****

5.44 (1.28)*

Sepsis

No

262

9.60 (2.13)

2.69 (0.94)

5.52 (1.31)

Yes

218

9.32 (2.18)

2.51 (0.85)*

5.59 (1.20)

Intraventricular hemorrhage

No

394

9.55 (2.11)

2.62 (0.93)

5.62 (1.27)

Yes

86

9.01 (2.20)*

2.56 (0.82)

5.27 (1.22)*^,****