Supplementation With Fish Oil in Pregnancy Reduces Gastroenteritis in Early Childhood. (20th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Horner, David; Hjelmsø, Mathis Hjort; Thorsen, Jonathan; Rasmussen, Morten; Eliasen, Anders; Vinding, Rebecca Kofod; Schoos, Ann-Marie Malby; Brustad, Nicklas; Sunde, Rikke Bjersand; Bønnelykke, Klaus; Chawes, Bo L; Stokholm, Jakob; Bisgaard, Hans
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 227:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 448
• Page End: 456
• Publication Date: 2021-12-20
• Subjects: fish oil -- gastroenteritis -- pediatrics -- pregnancy supplementation; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Background: We hypothesized that insufficient intake of fish oil–derived omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) during pregnancy is a contributing factor to gastroenteritis in early childhood. We examined the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on gastroenteritis symptoms in the offspring's first 3 years of life. Methods: This was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial whereby 736 mothers were administered n-3 LCPUFA or control from pregnancy week 24 until 1 week after birth. We measured the number of days with gastroenteritis, number of episodes with gastroenteritis, and the risk of having a gastroenteritis episode in the first 3 years of life. Results: A median reduction of 2.5 days with gastroenteritis ( P = .018) was shown, corresponding to a 14% reduction in the n-3 LCPUFA group compared with controls in the first 3 years of life ( P = .037). A reduction in the number of gastroenteritis episodes ( P = .027) and a reduced risk of having an episode (hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% confidence interval, .66–.97]; P = .023) were also shown. Conclusions: Fish oil supplementation from the 24th week of pregnancy led to a reduction in the number of days and episodes with gastroenteritis symptoms in the first 3 years of life. The findings suggest n-3 LCPUFA supplementation as a preventive measure against gastrointestinal infections in early childhood. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT00798226. Abstract : Supplementation with fish oil from the 24th week of pregnancy in a cohort of 736 mothers and their children resulted in fewer gastroenteritis days and episodes in the children's first 3 years of life.