BACKGROUND: Observational studies associate higher intakes of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during pregnancy with higher gestation duration and birth size. The results of randomized supplementation trials using various n-3 LCPUFA sources and amounts are mixed. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that 600 mg/d of the n-3 LCPUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can increase maternal and newborn DHA status, gestation duration, birth weight, and length. Safety was assessed. DESIGN: This phase III, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2006 and October 2011. Women (n = 350) consumed capsules (placebo, DHA) from <20 wk of gestation to birth. Blood (enrollment, birth, and cord) was analyzed for red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid DHA. The statistical analysis was intent-to-treat. RESULTS: Most of the capsules were consumed (76% placebo; 78% DHA); the mean DHA intake for the treated group was 469 mg/d. In comparison with placebo, DHA supplementation resulted in higher maternal and cord RBC-phospholipid-DHA (2.6%; P < 0.001), longer gestation duration (2.9 d; P = 0.041), and greater birth weight (172 g; P = 0.004), length (0.7 cm; P = 0.022), and head circumference (0.5 cm; P = 0.012). In addition, the DHA group had fewer infants born at <34 wk of gestation (P = 0.025) and shorter hospital stays for infants born preterm (40.8 compared with 8.9 d; P = 0.026) than did the placebo group. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A supplement of 600 mg DHA/d in the last half of gestation resulted in overall greater gestation duration and infant size. A reduction in early preterm and very-low birth weight could be important clinical and public health outcomes of DHA supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00266825.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Observational studies associate higher intakes of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during pregnancy with higher gestation duration and birth size. The results of randomized supplementation trials using various n-3 LCPUFA sources and amounts are mixed. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that 600 mg/d of the n-3 LCPUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can increase maternal and newborn DHA status, gestation duration, birth weight, and length. Safety was assessed. DESIGN: This phase III, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2006 and October 2011. Women (n = 350) consumed capsules (placebo, DHA) from <20 wk of gestation to birth. Blood (enrollment, birth, and cord) was analyzed for red blood cell (RBC) phospholipidDHA. The statistical analysis was intent-to-treat. RESULTS: Most of the capsules were consumed (76% placebo; 78% DHA); the mean DHA intake for the treated group was 469 mg/d. In comparison with placebo, DHA supplementation resulted in higher maternal and cord RBC-phospholipid-DHA (2.6%; P < 0.001), longer gestation duration (2.9 d; P = 0.041), and greater birth weight (172 g; P = 0.004), length (0.7 cm; P = 0.022), and head circumference (0.5 cm; P = 0.012). In addition, the DHA group had fewer infants born at <34 wk of gestation (P = 0.025) and shorter hospital stays for infants born preterm (40.8 compared with 8.9 d; P = 0.026) than did the placebo group. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A supplement of 600 mg DHA/d in the last half of gestation resulted in overall greater gestation duration and infant size. A reduction in early preterm and very-low birth weight could be important clinical and public health outcomes of DHA supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00266825.
Authors: Cornelius M Smuts; Minzhao Huang; David Mundy; Terry Plasse; Stacey Major; Susan E Carlson Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Carol J Fabian; Bruce F Kimler; Teresa A Phillips; Jennifer L Nydegger; Amy L Kreutzjans; Susan E Carlson; Brandon H Hidaka; Trina Metheny; Carola M Zalles; Gordon B Mills; Kandy R Powers; Debra K Sullivan; Brian K Petroff; Whitney L Hensing; Brooke L Fridley; Stephen D Hursting Journal: Cancer Prev Res (Phila) Date: 2015-08-14
Authors: L N Yelland; B J Gajewski; J Colombo; R A Gibson; M Makrides; S E Carlson Journal: Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids Date: 2016-08-17 Impact factor: 4.006
Authors: Philip A May; Kari J Hamrick; Karen D Corbin; Julie M Hasken; Anna-Susan Marais; Lesley E Brooke; Jason Blankenship; H Eugene Hoyme; J Phillip Gossage Journal: Reprod Toxicol Date: 2014-02-22 Impact factor: 3.143
Authors: Yang Lei; Susan Carlson; Lisa N Yelland; Maria Makrides; Robert Gibson; Byron J Gajewski Journal: J Appl Stat Date: 2016-08-12 Impact factor: 1.404
Authors: T I Shireman; E H Kerling; B J Gajewski; J Colombo; S E Carlson Journal: Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids Date: 2016-05-13 Impact factor: 4.006