title: The Effect of Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Gestational Length: Randomized Trial of Supplementation Compared to Nutrition Education for Increasing n-3 Intake from Foods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  DHA supplementation was compared to nutrition education to increase DHA consumption from fish and DHA fortified foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  This two-part intervention included a randomized double-blind placebo controlled DHA supplementation arm and a nutrition education arm designed to increase intake of DHA from dietary sources by 300 mg per day.
  
  
  METHODS
  Denver Health Hospitals and Clinics, Denver, Colorado, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  871 pregnant women aged 18-40 were recruited between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation of whom 564 completed the study and complete delivery data was available in 505 women and infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects received either 300 or 600 mg DHA or olive oil placebo or nutrition education.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gestational length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gestational length was significantly increased by 4.0-4.5 days in women supplemented with 600 mg DHA per day or provided with nutrition education. Each 1% increase in RBC DHA at delivery was associated with a 1.6-day increase in gestational length. No significant effects on birth weight, birth length, or head circumference were demonstrated. The rate of early preterm birth (1.7%) in those supplemented with DHA (combined 300 and 600 mg/day) was significantly lower than in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutrition education or supplementation with DHA can be effective in increasing gestational length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA ; Department of Neonatology, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80237, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO 80237, USA ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Garry W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Auld
authors.affiliation: LA Best Babies Network, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA.
authors.forename: Janice I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth G D
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids