Newborns benefit from Mom's DHA intake

by Aimee Keenan-Greene

A new study in the journal Pediatrics says giving a pregnant mother DHA supplements during pregnancy may have yet another benefit - decreasing the occurrence of colds in their newborn.

Scientists conducting a double-blind randomized controlled trial  in Mexico studied pregnant women who received daily supplementation of 400 mg DHA, or a placebo, from 18 to 22 weeks' gestation through parturition. 

The intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids is known to influence immune cell function. Fats make up sixty percent of the brain and the nerves that run every system in the body. It stands to reason the better quality of fat in your diet, the better your brain develops.  Essential to brain function are two fatty acids, linoleic (or omega 6) and alpha linolenic (or omega 3). These are the main structural components of brain cell membranes and an important part of the enzymes within all cell membranes that allow the transport of valuable nutrients. 

Researchers say maternal DHA supplementation of 400 mg/day during gestation decreased the occurrence of illness in infants at 1 month and influenced symptom duration at 1, 3, and 6 months as reported in the preceding 15 days. 

Data was gathered from more than 800 mothers at 1, 3 and 6 months who were surveyed on the health of their infants. 

The occurrence of specific illness symptoms did not differ between age groups; however, cold symptoms were lower in the DHA group at 1 month.

At 1 month, the DHA group experienced 26 percent shorter duration of cough, 15 percent shorter duration of phlegm, and 30 percent shorter duration of wheezing.

However, the duration of rash was 22 percent  longer. 

At 3 months, infants in the DHA group spent 14 percent less time being sick.

At 6 months, infants in the DHA group experienced 20 percent shorter duration of fever, 13 percent less nasal secretion, 54 percent less difficulty breathing, 23 percent less rash, and 25 percent less of  'other illness'- but 74 percent longer duration of vomiting.

Scientists say the 400 mg of DHA can be achieved through proper diet. The best sources of DHA are: seafood, algae, and coldwater fish like salmon, sardines, and tuna. Eggs and organ meats have a small amount of DHA in them.  Besides fish oils, vegetable oils like flaxseed, soy, and canola are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids. 

"The author is in public relations and communications and is affiliated with the Pear Health Company."