Exploring the Influence of Maternal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants
Keywords:
Maternal nutrition, Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, neurodevelopment, infant cognition, pregnancy dietAbstract
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a critical role in fetal brain development. Among various nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have attracted significant interest for their neurodevelopmental benefits. This paper examines the influence of maternal omega-3 fatty acid intake on neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. Drawing on evidence, the review synthesizes key findings and discusses methodological challenges in assessing these associations. Results consistently indicate that higher maternal DHA consumption correlates with improved infant cognitive and visual outcomes, though heterogeneity in study designs and potential confounders limit definitive causal conclusions. The paper also highlights gaps for future research, particularly regarding optimal dosage and timing of supplementation.
References
[1] Carlson, Susan E., and John Colombo. "Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid Nutrition in Early Development." Advances in Pediatrics, vol. 63, no. 1, 2016, pp. 453–471.
[2] Gould, Jacqueline F., Lisa G. Smithers, and Maria Makrides. "The Effect of Maternal Omega-3 (n-3) LCPUFA Supplementation During Pregnancy on Early Childhood Cognitive and Visual Development: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 97, no. 3, 2013, pp. 531–544.
[3] Hibbeln, Joseph R., et al. "Maternal Seafood Consumption in Pregnancy and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Childhood (ALSPAC Study): An Observational Cohort Study." The Lancet, vol. 369, no. 9561, 2007, pp. 578–585.
[4] Oken, Emily, et al. "Maternal Fish Intake During Pregnancy, Blood Mercury Levels, and Child Cognition at Age 3 Years in a US Cohort." American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 167, no. 10, 2008, pp. 1171–1181.
[5] Makrides, Maria, et al. "Effect of DHA Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal Depression and Neurodevelopment of Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial." JAMA, vol. 304, no. 15, 2010, pp. 1675–1683.
[6] Helland, Ingrid B., et al. "Maternal Supplementation with Very-Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Lactation Augments Children’s IQ at 4 Years of Age." Pediatrics, vol. 111, no. 1, 2003, pp. e39–e44.
[7] Innis, Sheila M. "Dietary (n-3) Fatty Acids and Brain Development." The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 137, no. 4, 2007, pp. 855–859.
[8] Uauy, Ricardo, and David A. Birch. "Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Brain and Retina: A Review of Recent Evidence." Nutrition Reviews, vol. 54, no. 5, 1996, pp. S20–S29.
[9] Simopoulos, Artemis P. "Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases." Journal of the American College of Nutrition, vol. 21, no. 6, 2002, pp. 495–505.
[10] Koletzko, Berthold, et al. "Dietary Fat Intakes for Pregnant and Lactating Women." British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 98, no. 5, 2007, pp. 873–877.
[11] Guesnet, Philippe, and Gerard Alessandri. "Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and the Developing Central Nervous System (CNS)–Implications for Dietary Recommendations." Biochimie, vol. 93, no. 1, 2011, pp. 7–12.
[12] Dunstan, Jocelyn A., et al. "Maternal Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy Reduces Interleukin-13 Levels in Cord Blood of Infants at High Risk of Atopy." Clinical and Experimental Allergy, vol. 33, no. 4, 2003, pp. 442–448.
[13] Calder, Philip C. "Mechanisms of Action of (n-3) Fatty Acids." The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 142, no. 3, 2012, pp. 592S–599S.
[14] Yehuda, Shlomo, Shaul Rabinovitz, and David Mostofsky. "Essential Fatty Acids Are Mediators of Brain Biochemistry and Cognitive Functions." Journal of Neuroscience Research, vol. 56, no. 6, 1999, pp. 565–570.
[15] Lauritzen, Lotte, et al. "The Essentiality of Long Chain n-3 Fatty Acids in Relation to Development and Function of the Brain and Retina." Progress in Lipid Research, vol. 40, no. 1-2, 2001, pp. 1–94.
[16] Martinez, Michel. "Tissue Levels of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids During Early Human Development." The Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 120, no. 4 Pt 2, 1992, pp. S129–S138.
[17] Salem, Norman, et al. "Mechanisms of Action of Docosahexaenoic Acid in the Nervous System." Lipids, vol. 36, no. 9, 2001, pp. 945–959.
[18] Harris, William S., and Ruth M. Thomas. "Biological Variability of Blood Omega-3 Biomarkers." Clinical Biochemistry, vol. 43, no. 3, 2010, pp. 338–340.
[19] Bilbo, Staci D., and Jaclyn M. Schwarz. "The Immune System and Developmental Programming of Brain and Behavior." Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, vol. 33, no. 3, 2012, pp. 267–286.
