Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
The early implementation phase of the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program for reducing the risk of preterm birth, South
Karen P Best1,2, Celine Northcott1,2, Lucy A Simmonds1,3
1South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA.
Insights
Integrating omega-3 fatty acid testing and supplementation into antenatal care is feasible. This program can help reduce preterm birth risk through targeted nutritional intervention in pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Preterm birth remains a significant global health concern.
- Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.
- Targeted nutritional interventions during pregnancy may offer a strategy to mitigate preterm birth risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of integrating omega-3 fatty acid testing and supplementation into routine antenatal care.
- To assess the potential of the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program in reducing preterm birth.
- To determine the uptake and fidelity of the program within the South Australian healthcare system.
Main Methods:
- A prospective implementation evaluation study utilizing the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) framework.
- Inclusion of omega-3 testing options in antenatal screening referral forms for pregnant women before 20 weeks' gestation.
- Analysis of program feasibility, representativeness of tested women, and omega-3 fatty acid status.
Main Results:
- Over 4800 omega-3 tests were requested, representing 26.1% of eligible antenatal referrals, with a significant increase in monthly requests over time.
- The characteristics of women tested were similar to those not tested, indicating good representativeness.
- Of tested women, 14.7% had low omega-3 levels, 34.2% had moderate levels, and 51.1% had sufficient levels, with high laboratory analysis turnaround time (97.6% within 72 hours).
Conclusions:
- The Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program demonstrates feasibility for integration into routine Australian antenatal care.
- Targeted omega-3 supplementation, guided by testing, is a viable nutritional intervention to potentially reduce preterm birth.
- The program shows promise for improving pregnancy outcomes through personalized nutritional strategies.
Objective:
To assess the feasibility of embedding omega-3 fatty acid testing and targeted supplementation (the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program) into routine antenatal care to reduce the risk of preterm birth.
Study Design:
Prospective implementation evaluation study, using the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) framework.
Setting, Participants:
Women with singleton pregnancies undergoing routine antenatal screening during early pregnancy (before 20 weeks' gestation) and their health care providers, South Australia, 19 April 2021 - 30 June 2022.
Intervention:
Addition of omega-3 fatty acid testing option to SA Pathology test referral forms for the South Australian Maternal Serum Antenatal Screening (SAMSAS) program, with the aim of identifying women with low omega-3 fatty acid levels during early pregnancy and providing evidence-based supplementation guidance for reducing the risk of preterm birth.
Main Outcome Measures:
Program feasibility (uptake and fidelity); representativeness of women tested for omega-3 fatty acid status; and omega-3 fatty acid status, by proportion of total serum fatty acids (low, < 3.7%; moderate, 3.7-4.3%; sufficient, > 4.3%).
Results:
A total of 4801 requests for omega-3 fatty acid tests (26.1% of 18 362 SAMSAS referrals) were submitted to SA Pathology during the initial implementation phase of the Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program. The monthly number of test requests increased from 15 (2.4% of 627 SAMSAS referrals) in April 2021 to 340 (29.4% of 1156 SAMSAS referrals) in June 2022. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of women referred for omega-3 fatty acid testing were similar to those for women who were not. Serum samples were insufficient for omega-3 fatty acid testing in 19 cases; of the 4782 tests performed, omega-3 fatty acid levels were low in 702 (14.7%), moderate in 1638 (34.2%), and sufficient in 2442 tests (51.1%). Of 5057 samples received by the Omega-3 Laboratory, 4935 (97.6%) were analysed within 72 hours. Thirty-three of 4801 omega-3 fatty acid test referrals (0.7%) were for women beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy; 58 referrals (1.2%) were for women with non-singleton pregnancies.
Conclusion:
The Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program is a feasible approach to reducing the risk of preterm birth with a targeted nutritional intervention that could be integrated into routine antenatal care in Australia.
More Related Videos
04:53A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
05:15Author Spotlight: Assessing the Feasibility of Using Amplitude-Integrated EEG During Neonatal Transport
Published on: June 21, 2024
