Considerations regarding neuropsychiatric nutritional requirements for intakes of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.
BACKGROUND
Adverse neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric outcomes have been established as signs of nutrient deficiencies and may be applicable to insufficient dietary intakes of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs).


OBJECTIVE
Consider if statistical definitions for Daily Reference Intakes can be applied to n-3 HUFAs intakes during pregnancy for maternal and neurodevelopmental deficiencies.


METHODS
Data were prospectively collected from women during pregnancy and children up to age 8 years participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Statistical analyses took social and lifestyle factors into account.


RESULTS
During pregnancy, n-3 HUFA intakes from seafood that putatively meet statistical definitions of an estimated average requirement ranged from 0.05 to 0.06 en% (111-139 mg/d/2000 Cal) for suboptimal fine motor control at 42 m and 0.065-0.08 en% (114-181 mg/d/2000 Cal) for suboptimal verbal IQ at age 8 years and 0.18-0.22 en% (389-486 mg/d/2000 Cal) for maternal depression at 32 weeks. Intakes of n-3 ranging from 0.2 to 0.41 en% (445-917 mg/d/2000 Cal) prevented both increased risk of maternal depression and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for children among 97.5% of the population. No upper limit for safety was found.


CONCLUSIONS
During pregnancy, a n-3 HUFA intake of 0.40 en% (900 mg/d/2000 Cal) from seafood is likely to meet the nutritional requirements for 97.5% of the mothers and children of this population. These considerations do not constitute DRI's for docosahexaenoic acid and n-3 HUFAs, but may contribute to their formulation.
Hibbeln
Joseph R
JR
LMBB, National Institutes Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, 5625 Fishers Lane, Rm 3N-07, MSC 9410, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. jhibbeln@mail.nih.gov
Davis
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D017747:Seafood
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3