DHA consumption during pregnancy has previously shown to benefit infant brain and eye development. It may also have an impact on infant adipose tissue development. A longitudinal, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the prenatal impact of a DHA-containing functional food (DHA-FF) on intra-uterine growth of infant.
Healthy pregnant women (n=47)
From week 24 of pregnancy until delivery
DHA-FF or placebo bar
Infant’s length and weight at birth were obtained at delivery and ponderal index (weight (g) / length (cm) 3 x 100) was calculated.
Mothers of infants who consumed DHA-FF during the last half of pregnancy had lower ponderal indices (β=0.198, p<0.05) and umbilical cord blood insulin concentrations (β=0.743, p<0.05) than those who consumed placebo.
DHA consumption during pregnancy may be beneficial for infant body composition at birth and insulin sensitivity.
Courville AB, Harel O, Lammi-Keefe CJ. Consumption of a DHA-containing functional food during pregnancy is associated with lower infant ponderal index and cord plasma insulin concentration. Br J Nutr. 2011;106(2):208-212.
