ARA (arachidonic acid), belonging to Omega-6 family, is widely present in human tissues as basic cell composition, such as the brain, platelets, neutrophils, liver, and muscles.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially ARA, is essential to newborn's health even by acting on cell ion channels, enzyme activity, and apoptosis.
Study found that the incidence of disease in preterm infants was associated with lower levels of ARA and DHA in the blood. When DHA and ARA were added to infant formula, the objects' vision, attention, and brain cognition are improved.

The same as DHA, ARA is relatively high in human milk and less in cow milk.
Given the importance of ARA in infant metabolism, especially in brain nervous system, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the addition of ARA to infant formula.
In China, if DHA is added to infant formula, at least the same amount of ARA should be added according to national food regulation GB 10765.