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Does Maternal Omega 3 Supplementation Protect Against Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis?
Maya Paran1, Enrique Freud1,2, Inbal Samuk1,2
1Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv.
Insights
Maternal omega-3 supplement intake during pregnancy may reduce the risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). This finding suggests a potential protective role for omega-3 fatty acids in IHPS development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Maternal Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a critical condition with unknown etiology.
- Known risk factors for IHPS exist, but research into maternal nutrition and habits is ongoing.
- Investigating modifiable maternal factors may identify new preventative strategies for IHPS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of known IHPS risk factors.
- To explore maternal nutrition and habits as potential risk factors for IHPS.
- To determine the association between maternal omega-3 supplement consumption and IHPS risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing mothers of IHPS infants with control mothers.
- Infants diagnosed with IHPS and operated on between 2010-2016 were identified.
- Data on risk factors, including maternal diet, were collected via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Maternal omega-3 supplement consumption (≥1-2 times/week) was significantly lower in IHPS cases than controls (P=0.031).
- After adjusting for factors like male sex and maternal smoking, omega-3 intake remained linked to reduced IHPS risk (OR=0.303, P=0.02).
- Sixty-six cases and 67 controls were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Maternal omega-3 supplement intake during pregnancy is associated with a significantly lower risk of IHPS.
- These findings highlight a potential protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids against IHPS.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these results and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Objectives:
Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is potentially life threatening. The etiology of IHPS remains unknown and many risk factors have been reported. We aimed to assess the prevalence of known risk factors and investigate maternal nutrition and habits as possible additional risk factors for IHPS.
Methods:
This case-control study includes mothers of infants diagnosed with IHPS and control mothers of infants, age 2 to 11 months, hospitalized in the pediatric department due to other conditions. Cases of IHPS were identified by review of all infants diagnosed with IHPS and operated upon in 2010 to 2016 at 2 major hospitals in central Israel. Data regarding potential risk factors were collected via questionnaires in both study groups.
Results:
Sixty-six cases and 67 controls were included in the study. Maternal omega 3 supplement consumption during pregnancy was significantly less common among cases of IHPS as compared with controls (P = 0.031). Consumption of omega 3 supplement was defined as consumption of at least 1 to 2 per week during the pregnancy period. Following adjustment for known risk factors, including male sex and maternal smoking, maternal omega 3 supplement consumption remained associated with a significantly lower risk of developing IHPS (odds ratio = 0.303, 95% confidence interval 0.111-0.828, P = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Maternal omega 3 supplement consumption during pregnancy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of IHPS. Further studies are needed to support these results and investigate possible mechanisms of the effect of omega 3.
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