Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of women with low-risk pregnancies on pregnancy outcomes and growth measures at birth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Study answer

What this study found

n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation during pregnancy produced a small benefit overall, most clearly by modestly prolonging gestation and slightly increasing head circumference at birth. Pooled duration of pregnancy increased by 1.57 days (95% CI 0.35, 2.78), while birth weight was not significantly changed (WMD 54 g; 95% CI -3.1, 111 g) and birth length was also not significantly changed (WMD 0.23 cm; 95% CI -0.04, 0.5 cm). Head circumference increased by 0.26 cm (95% CI 0.02, 0.49), but this finding was lost in sensitivity analysis (WMD 0.26 cm; 95% CI -0.02, 0.53). No significant differences were…

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials in healthy pregnant women with low-risk pregnancies.

Intervention

Across 6 randomized trials, pregnant women received n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in varied forms, including cod liver oil, fish oil, high-DHA eggs, and DHA/EPA-containing preparations, for the pregnancy intervention period until birth.

Key limitation

The included trials were few and heterogeneous in formulation, dose, and comparator, which limits precision and generalizability.

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Original abstract