A woman who consumes fish oil-type supplements during pregnancy may decrease the number of colds early in her baby's life, according to a randomized, controlled trial.
Symptoms resolved faster throughout the first six months of life for the supplement group compared with the placebo group, they will report in the September issue of Pediatrics.
1,094 pregnant women in Mexico took 400 mg DHA or placebo daily during the later half of gestation.
At 1 month, symptom duration for the DHA group compared with the placebo group was:
• 26% shorter for cough
• 15%, shorter for phlegm
• 30% shorter for wheezing
• 22% longer for rash
At 6 months, symptom duration differences in the DHA versus placebo group were:
• 20% shorter for fever
• 13% shorter for nasal secretion
• 54% shorter for difficulty breathing
• 23% shorter for rash
• 25% shorter for "other illness," such as ear infections and sore throats.
• 74% longer for vomiting
Source:
Imhoff-Kunsch B, et al "Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial" Pediatrics 2011; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1386.
Various recommended doses of EPA and DHA during pregnancy:
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