Understanding the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy on multiple outcomes from the DOMInO trial

Maria Makrides

doi:10.1051/ocl/2015045

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been postulated to extend the period of gestation, increase birth weight, enhance neurodevelopment and reduce the risk of allergic disease. Because of its large sample size and relatively broad inclusion criteria, the DOMInO (DHA to Optimise Mother Infant Outcome) trial offers the opportunity to explore the effect of prenatal DHA supplementation of multiple outcomes. Overall, the DOMInO trial showed that prenatal DHA supplementation increases the length of gestation, reduces the risk of early preterm and low birth weight, has little or no effect on maternal postpartum depression and early childhood neurodevelopment but reduces the risk of atopic eczema and sensitisation in the first year of life. The clinical utility of prenatal DHA supplementation of reducing early birth is important and requires further investigation.

Highlights

The n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has multiple biochemical and physiological roles in many organ systems
It naturally follows that DHA has a number of postulated clinical effects, especially in the perinatal period which is a period characterized by anabolic change and organ growth
Makrides: OCL 2016, 23(1) D105 opportunity to explore the effect of prenatal DHA supplementation of multiple outcomes

Summary

Introduction

The n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has multiple biochemical and physiological roles in many organ systems. This is perhaps not surprising as DHA is an integral part of all cell membranes. Some of the postulated effects of DHA in the perinatal period are to extend gestational length, enhance early childhood neuro-. The purpose of this paper is to bring together the core outcomes of the DOMInO trial reported to date and consider the current evidence as well as the research gaps for further investigation

The DOMInO trial

Outcome assessments

Findings

Outcome data from the DOMInO trial