Abstract

Lipids are structural components of all tissues and are indispensable for cell membrane synthesis. The brain, retina, and other neural tissues are particularly rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids affecting neural structural development and function. Over recent years, the role of fatty acids in modulating signal transduction and regulation of gene expression has been characterized. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have significant effects in the modulation of developmental processes that may affect clinical outcomes of extremely premature infants.