Does antenatal supplementation with omega-3 affect child development and behavior during the first six months of life? A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in different cell membranes, but more concentrated in the brain, playing an important role in child's behavior and development.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of antenatal omega-3 supplementation on child development and behavior during the first six months of life.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

SUBJECTS: Low-risk pregnant women with gestational age between 22 and 24 weeks were randomized in placebo (olive oil; n = 30) or omega-3 (fish oil; 1440 mg/day of DHA; n = 30) groups and supplemented until childbirth.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Child development was assessed using the Survey of Well-being of Young Children in the first, fourth and sixth month of life.

RESULTS: The comparison between groups showed no differences in the Developmental Milestones score at any time, but when compared to the first month, the omega-3 group showed an increase at the fourth and sixth month. Such increase was not observed in the placebo group. No differences were found between groups for Irritability and Inflexibility scores, however, higher scores for Difficulty with Routine were observed in the placebo group when compared to omega-3 at first, fourth and sixth month.

CONCLUSION: There were no differences between groups for child development, but the omega-3 group showed an increase in this score over time. The placebo group had greater difficulty with routine than the omega-3 group, indicating a beneficial effect of antenatal supplementation on child behavior.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ReBec U1111-1215-7952 (June 16th 2018).