Long chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFAs), including arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are important for normal health and development ARA and DHA levels are indeed lower in premature.
Higher maternal intake of DHA (whether from fish or supplements) can influence newborn blood DHA levels.
Both ARA and DHA levels in the first week of life, so that infants born at the lowest GA are at the highest risk of deficiency. Additional findings suggest that due to impaired biosynthesis, premature infants have the need for preformed LCPUFAs rather than precursor essential Fas that are currently provided.