EFFECTS OF FISH-OIL SUPPLEMENTATION IN LATE PREGNANCY ON BLOOD-LIPIDS, SERUM URATE, COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYSIS - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-STUDY

Pregnancy is associated with extensive haemostatic changes. As n-3 fat ty acids have been shown to interfere with the haemovascular balance, we have studied whether dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids i n late pregnancy interferes with blood lipids, serum urate and key-var iables within coagulation and fibrinolysis. 84 women in the 30th week of pregnancy were randomly assigned to fish oil or either olive oil or no oil supplementation as controls (2:1:1). Blood samples were collec ted at baseline and at the 37th week of pregnancy. In serum, lipids an d urate were determined. In plasma, coagulation and fibrinolysis varia bles were quantified. At the 37th week, a significantly higher level o f fibrin degradation products (p<0.01) were seen in the fish oil group . A higher mass-length ratio of the fibrin fibres in the fish oil grou p might help to explain this observed higher concentration of fibrin d egradation products, since no other significant differences within the coagulation and fibrinolysis systems were seen. No effects of fish oi l on blood lipids and serum urate were seen.