title: DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. scarlson@kumc.edu
authors: Susan E
authors: SE
authors: Carlson
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Colombo
authors: Byron J
authors: BJ
authors: Gajewski
authors: Kathleen M
authors: KM
authors: Gustafson
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Mundy
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Yeast
authors: Michael K
authors: MK
authors: Georgieff
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Markley
authors: Elizabeth H
authors: EH
authors: Kerling
authors: D Jill
authors: DJ
authors: Shaddy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007902:Length of Stay; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids