Effect of three low-dose fish oil supplements, administered during pregnancy, on neonatal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status at birth

Adequate long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) status during pregnanc y is important. We studied the effect of three low-dose fish oil supplement s, administered during uncomplicated pregnancy, on neonatal LCP status at t erm delivery. Supplements were administered from the second trimester to de livery, either as fish oil capsules ('fish-1': 336 mg LCP omega3, n=15; and 'fish-3': 1,008 mg LCP omega3, n=20) or milk-based supplement ('Mum': 528 mg LCP omega3, n=24). Fifty-seven untreated women served as controls. Fatty acids of umbilical veins (UV) and arteries (UA) were measured. The fish-1 group showed no differences, compared to controls. The Mum group had higher 20:5 omega3,22:5 omega3,22:6 omega3, LCP omega3 and 22:6 omega3/22:5 omega 6 in Wand UA. The fish-3 group had higher 22:5 omega3 and 22:6 omega3 (UA), LCP omega3 and 22:6 omega3/22:5 omega6 (UV and UA) and 20:3 omega6 (UV). A 500-1000 mg daily LCP omega3 supplement, taken either as a milk-based supp lement or fish oil capsules, effectively increases fetal LCP omega3 status, without affecting LCP omega6 status. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.