Prenatal Omega‐3 Fatty Acids: Review and Recommendations

Abstract

The influence of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on health outcomes is widely recognized. The adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids docasahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in particular can increase gestation length and improve infant cognitive and visual performance. Adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce the incidence of preterm birth in some populations. Research on prenatal omega-3 intake and other outcomes, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, is inconclusive. Women in the United States consume low levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to omega-6 fatty acids; this dietary pattern is associated with poor health outcomes. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish, yet many pregnant women avoid fish because of concerns about potential mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl contamination. It is important for prenatal care providers to assess women's diets for omega-3 fatty acid intake and ensure that pregnant women are consuming between 200 and 300 mg daily from safe food sources. Purified fish, algal oil supplements, and DHA-enriched eggs are alternative sources for pregnant women who do not eat fish.

Preconception omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of adult male mice with a history of developmental 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure prevents preterm birth in unexposed female partners

“…In particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA), incorporate into the plasma membrane of all cell types, displacing omega-6 fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and reducing the availability of substrates needed for inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis (reviewed by Moreno 2009). Recent studies have examined the efficacy of providing fish oil supplementation to women at risk for PTB (reviewed by McGregor et al 2001 and Jordan 2010); however, an increase in gestational length has not been consistently observed. Whether early life toxicant exposure affects human risk for PTB remains unclear; nevertheless, a nutritional strategy employed prior to pregnancy may be optimal for addressing developmental defects leading to reproductive failure.…”

Ingestão de energia e de nutrientes e baixo peso ao nascer: estudo de coorte com gestantes adolescentes

“…Alguns estudos têm contribuído para levantar a hipótese de que o aumento do consumo de ácido graxo ômega-3 está relacionado ao prolongamento da gestação, devido à redução na produção de prostaglandinas e incremento na produção de prostaciclinas, levando ao relaxamento do miométrio e prorrogando o início do trabalho de parto 19 .…”

Estado actual del conocimiento sobre el cuidado nutricional de la mujer embarazada

“…Asimismo, los metaanálisis apuntan a que no existen evidencias concluyentes que permitan hacer una recomendación en torno a la suplementación con omega-3 para tratar o prevenir la depresión prenatal o postparto, la preeclampsia y el parto prematuro [11][12][13][14][15] . Existe, por lo tanto, inconsistencia de datos, y son necesarios más estudios para poder establecer una recomendación al respecto.…”