Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Maternal and Child Health: An Updated Systematic Review

Newberry, Sydne J; Chung, Mei; Booth, Marika; Maglione, Margaret; Tang, Alice; O’Hanlon, Claire E; Wang, Ding Ding; Okunogbe, Adeyemi; Huang, Christina Y.; Trimmer, Martha; Dudley, Whitney; Shanman, Roberta; Coker, Tumaini R.; Shekelle, Paul G

doi:10.23970/ahrqepcerta224

Cited by 44 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Therefore, it is reasonable that some women in this study would choose to supplement their diet with omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA. However, this decision is not fully supported by the results of a large meta-analysis involving 143 studies where the effects of supplementing pregnant or breastfeeding women and infant formulas with omega-3 supplements was assessed [55]. Although a modest increase in the length of gestation and infant birth weight was identified, the overall risk of a low birth weight or premature birth was not.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although a modest increase in the length of gestation and infant birth weight was identified, the overall risk of a low birth weight or premature birth was not. In regards to infants health, omega-3 supplementation were not found to have any effects on the long-term development including growth after birth, visual acuity, long-term neurological and cognitive development, and the risks of autism, and learning disorders [55]. There is also insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of lecithin to unblock milk ducts, increase milk supply and manage breast/nipple pain [56].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The prevalence, perceptions and behaviors associated with traditional/complementary medicine use by breastfeeding women living in Macau: a cross-sectional survey study

Zheng

Chen

et al. 2020

BMC Complement Med Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: There is a long history of traditional/complementary medicine (T/CM) use by women during lactation. While it is important to evaluate such use within a scientific paradigm to ensure efficacy and safety, knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of T/CM use during lactation is limited. This study aimed to generate preliminary data on the prevalence, perceptions and behaviors related to T/CM use by women living in Macau during lactation.Methods: Between April to June 2018, women aged 18 years or above who had breastfed within the previous 12 months were invited to complete a questionnaire which asked about their perceptions and behaviors related to the use of T/CM while breastfeeding. Chi-square analysis and logistic regressions were used to conduct data analysis.Results: A total of 500 women completed the survey with 62.6% (95% CI 58.37-66.83) reporting use of at least 1 T/ CM while breastfeeding. Of these 48.9% (95% CI 44.67 to 53.13) believed T/CM were safe to take during lactation and 55.6% (95% CI 51.37 to 59.83) suggested there were inadequate resources to assist making an informed decision. Working status, monthly family income and the presence of a breastfeeding-related health problems were associated with T/CM use (all p < 0.05). The most commonly used T/CM were Tetrapanax papyriferus, lecithin, Vaccaria segetalis, docosahexaenoic acid and Trigonella foenum-graecum commonly referred to as Fenugreek. The most common reasons for using T/CM were "to unblock milk ducts", "to increase milk supply" and "to improve baby development". Women were recommended to use T/CM from multiple sources; 15.0% from health personnel (HP) only, 40.0% received recommendations from non-HP only; and 42.2% from both. (Continued on next page)Conclusions: The use of T/CM by women during lactation is common in Macau. The current support and resources available to women during the breastfeeding period to make informed decisions about T/CM use is not standardized nor integrated. The gaps identified in this study provide an opportunity to develop resources and a more defined role for HPs to ensure the appropriate and safe use of T/CM in this population.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence, perceptions and behaviors associated with traditional/complementary medicine use by breastfeeding women living in Macau: a cross-sectional survey study

Zheng

Chen

et al. 2020

BMC Complement Med Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Notwithstanding these findings, we note that RCTs of omega-3 supplementation in isolation during pregnancy and/or lactation have not consistently found benefits to neurocognitive development. A 2016 review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) [31] as well as the EFSA scientific opinion cited previously [6] and an earlier AHRQ review of omega-3 supplementation studies in 2005 [32] reported that these studies have not shown a consistent effect on offspring neurocognition. It is worth considering whether these null results may have a bearing on the relationship between seafood consumption and neurocognition.…”

Section: Considerations About Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An abundance of seafood consumption studies presents new opportunities to evaluate effects on neurocognitive development

Spiller

Hibbeln

Myers

et al. 2019

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…One SR assessed omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation on the risk of developing AE, including seven RCTs and seven observational studies (total number of participants unclear). Neither prenatal nor postnatal (maternal and infant) omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation had a consistent effect on the risk for AE.…”

Section: Prevention Of Atopic Eczemamentioning

confidence: 99%

What's new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2016. Part 1: treatment and prevention

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary This review is part of a series of annual updates summarizing the evidence base for atopic eczema (AE). It provides a summary of key findings from 28 systematic reviews that were published or indexed during 2016 with a focus on treatment and prevention of AE. There is reasonable evidence of benefit for topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, a glycyrrhetinic acid‐containing preparation (Atopiclair®), oral ciclosporin, oral azathioprine, narrowband ultraviolet B radiation and education programmes. Overall, there is evidence that topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors have similar efficacy and that both can prevent AE flares when used twice weekly as maintenance therapy. However, topical calcineurin inhibitors are costlier and have more adverse reactions, thus topical corticosteroids should remain the standard of care for patients with AE. There is no evidence that multiple applications are better than once‐daily application of topical corticosteroid. There is inconsistent evidence to support omalizumab and specific allergen immunotherapy use in AE. There is some evidence that vitamin D supplementation and synbiotics reduce AE severity, although the margin of improvement may not be clinically meaningful. There is little evidence to support the use of wet wraps or of complementary/alternative medicine (including Chinese herbal medicine). There is some evidence to suggest that a diet high in fish in infancy may be preventative for AE, but other dietary interventions for the prevention of AE show little promise. This review provides a succinct guide for clinicians and patients wishing to remain up to date with the latest evidence for the treatment and prevention of AE.

show abstract

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Maternal and Child Health: An Updated Systematic Review

Cited by 44 publications

References 0 publications

The prevalence, perceptions and behaviors associated with traditional/complementary medicine use by breastfeeding women living in Macau: a cross-sectional survey study

The prevalence, perceptions and behaviors associated with traditional/complementary medicine use by breastfeeding women living in Macau: a cross-sectional survey study

An abundance of seafood consumption studies presents new opportunities to evaluate effects on neurocognitive development

What's new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2016. Part 1: treatment and prevention

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About