Potentially Beneficial Effects of DHA on the Child's Eye and Hand Coordination

Objective

This study was conducted to assess the effects of antenatal omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC PUFA) on cognitive development in a cohort of children whose mothers received high-dose omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy.

Study population

98 pregnant women (their infants (n=72) were assessed at age 2(1/2) years)

Length of study

20 weeks’ gestation until delivery.

Intervention

Omega-3 fatty acids (2.2 gm docosahexae- noic acid (DHA) and 1.1 gm eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/day) or olive oil from 20 weeks' gestation until delivery.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy shows potentially beneficial effects on child’s eye and hand coordination

Results

Children in the omega-3 FA supplemented group (n = 33) attained a significantly higher score for eye and hand coordination (mean ((SD) score 114 (10.2)) than those in the placebo group (n = 39, mean score 108 (SD 11.3); p = 0.021, adjusted p = 0.008) (see Fig.1).

Eye and hand coordination scores correlated with n-3 PUFA levels in cord blood erythrocytes (EPA: r = 0.320, p = 0.007; DHA: r = 0.308, p = 0.009) and inversely correlated with n-6 PUFA (arachidonic acid 20:4n-6: r = -0.331, p =0.005).

Conclusion

Maternal omega-3 FA supplementation during pregnancy is safe for the fetus and infant, and may have potentially beneficial effects on the child's eye and hand coordination.

Source

Dunstan JA, Simmer K, Dixon G, et al. Cognitive assessment of children at age 2(1/2) years after maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2008;93(1):F45-50.