n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation: effects on infant and maternal outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid, are, respectively, n-3 and n-6 family members and play an important role in fetal and infant growth and development. Pregnancy and lactation impose special nutritional needs for the mother-fetus situation. Since the LC-PUFA required by the fetus is supplied by preferential placental transfer of preformed LC-PUFA rather than their precursor, it has been hypothesized that additional maternal supply of LC-PUFA, especially DHA, during pregnancy may improve maternal and infant outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize evidences of the effect of n-3 LC-PUFA intake during pregnancy and lactation on maternal and infant outcomes in order to offer a comprehensive view of this issue that should be useful for clinical practice.


RESULTS
Maternal n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation may reduce risk for early preterm birth >34 weeks and seems very promising for primary allergy prevention during childhood. On the contrary, there are not sufficient data proving that the consumption of oils rich in n-3 LC-PUFA during pregnancy optimizes child's visual and neurodevelopment and reduces the risk for preeclampsia and perinatal depression; the implications of these findings remain to be elucidated.


CONCLUSIONS
The implications of n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation on fetal development, maternal outcomes and later infant growth is worth being elucidated and is promising in its potential for a positive impact on fetal and maternal outcomes.
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, U.O. Ematologia e CTMO, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy, rachele.degiuseppe@unimi.it.
Rachele
R
De Giuseppe
Carla
C
Roggi
Hellas
H
Cena
D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid