Randomized controlled trial of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on childhood allergies. Issue 11 (21st September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palmer, D. J.; Sullivan, T.; Gold, M. S.; Prescott, S. L.; Heddle, R.; Gibson, R. A.; Makrides, M.
• Is Part Of: Allergy. Volume 68:Issue 11(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1370
• Page End: 1376
• Publication Date: 2013-09-21
• Subjects: allergy prevention -- eczema -- fatty acids -- pregnancy -- randomized controlled trial; Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/all.12233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-4538

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Diets high in n‐3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) may modulate the development of IgE‐mediated allergic disease and have been proposed as a possible allergy prevention strategy. The aim of this study was to determine whether n‐3 LCPUFA supplementation of pregnant women reduces IgE‐mediated allergic disease in their children. Methods: Follow‐up of children ( n = 706) at hereditary risk of allergic disease in the Docosahexaenoic Acid to Optimise Mother Infant Outcome randomized controlled trial. The intervention group ( n = 368) was randomly allocated to receive fish oil capsules (providing 900 mg of n‐3 LCPUFA daily) from 21 weeks' gestation until birth; the control group ( n = 338) received matched vegetable oil capsules without n‐3 LCPUFA. The diagnosis of allergic disease was made during medical assessments at 1 and 3 years of age. Results: No differences were seen in the overall percentage of children with IgE‐mediated allergic disease in the first 3 years of life between the n‐3 LCPUFA and control groups (64/368 (17.3%) vs 76/338 (22.6%); adjusted relative risk 0.78; 95% CI 0.58–1.06; P = 0.11). Eczema was the most common allergic disease; 13.8% of children in the n‐3 LCPUFA group had eczema with sensitization compared with 19.0% in the control group (adjusted relative risk 0.75; 95% CI 0.53–1.05; P = 0.10). Conclusions: Overall, n‐3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy did not significantly reduce IgE‐associated allergic disease in the first 3 years of life. Further studies should examine whether the nonsignificant reductions in IgE‐associated allergies are of clinical and public health significance.