DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Nutritional Science
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Observational studies suggest n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) enhance fetal growth and gestation length.
• Randomized trials on n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy have yielded inconsistent results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of 600 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in increasing maternal and newborn DHA levels, gestation duration, and birth size.
• To assess the safety of DHA supplementation during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A phase III, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 350 pregnant women from <20 weeks gestation until birth.
• Participants received either placebo or DHA capsules, with red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid DHA levels measured at enrollment, birth, and from cord blood.
• Intent-to-treat statistical analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• DHA supplementation significantly increased maternal and cord RBC-phospholipid-DHA levels.
• The DHA group experienced longer gestation duration (2.9 days), greater birth weight (172 g), length (0.7 cm), and head circumference (0.5 cm) compared to placebo.
• Fewer infants in the DHA group were born preterm (<34 weeks gestation), and those born preterm had shorter hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• Daily supplementation with 600 mg DHA in the latter half of gestation promotes longer gestation and larger infant size.
• DHA supplementation may reduce the incidence of early preterm birth and very-low birth weight, offering significant clinical and public health advantages.
• No adverse safety events were identified during the trial.