Taking Omega-3 during pregnancy reduces the risk of perinatal death and neonatal convulsions
Omega-3 in pregnancy: lower risks of perinatal death
New benefits of Omega-3 intake during pregnancy: 800 milligrams per day of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in the second half of pregnancy reduce both the risk of perinatal death and the occurrence of neonatal seizures. These benefits of Omega-3 were gathered by a group of Australian researchers coordinated by the Women's & Children's Health Research Centre and the University of Adelaide (Australia). Their findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Why is taking Omega-3 during pregnancy so beneficial?
Omega-3s are essential for the proper development of the fetal nervous system. Every woman should ensure adequate stores even before pregnancy, since these fatty acids along with other nutrients are transferred from the mother's body to the baby. Moreover, the Omega-3 content of the amniotic fluid depends on the mother's diet. Several studies have shown that taking Omega-3 during pregnancy does not harm the baby in any way. On the contrary, research to date indicates that high Omega-3 levels can reduce the risk of various conditions and complications:
- premature birth
- preeclampsia
- cerebral palsy
Specifically, Omega-3 intake helps to:
- reduce blood pressure, a key factor in preeclampsia;
- promote proper blood flow in the placenta, thereby allowing efficient nutrient exchange between mother and baby.
For this reason, experts recommend taking 300 milligrams of Omega-3 daily during the last three months of pregnancy.
Omega-3 for a full-term pregnancy
The study involved 2,399 women under 21 weeks of gestation who took 800 milligrams of DHA daily or a vegetable oil low in Omega-3.
- In the DHA group, there were 3 cases of perinatal death (0.125%) and no cases of neonatal seizures.
- In the group not taking Omega-3, there were 12 perinatal deaths (0.5%) and 5 cases of neonatal seizures (0.21%).
This Omega-3 may therefore reduce both the risk of perinatal death and seizures in the baby. However, these DHA doses did not seem effective in reducing the incidence of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Previous studies have shown that in the case of preeclampsia, the balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 levels makes the difference2.
Which Omega-3s?
The authors emphasize that these findings must be confirmed by further studies. It is always important to consult a physician before taking Omega-3 or other dietary supplements during pregnancy. For example, flaxseed oil is a good source of Omega-3, but some experts advise against its use in pregnancy because it contains substances that may affect hormonal activity3.
Source:
1. Zhou SJ, Yelland L, McPhee AJ, Quinlivan J, Gibson RA, Makrides M, “Fish-oil supplementation in pregnancy does not reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia”, Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jun;95(6):1378-84. Epub 2012 May 2
2. Williams MA, Zingheim RW, King IB, Zebelman AM, “Omega-3 fatty acids in maternal erythrocytes and risk of preeclampsia”, Epidemiology. 1995 May;6(3):232-7
3. Brooks JD, Ward WE, Lewis JE, Hilditch J, Nickell L, Wong E, Thompson LU, “Supplementation with flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy”, Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Feb;79(2):318-25
