Maternal omega-3 again linked to children’s coordination
13th April 2008
Increased intake of the omega-3 DHA during pregnancy could produce improved motor function in the offspring in later life, suggests a new study from Canada.
Studying 109 Inuit infants in Arctic Quebec, the researchers report in the Journal of Pediatrics that levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the mother’s were directly related to levels in the umbilical cord, and subsequently in the foetus.
And increased levels were linked to improved visual, cognitive, and motor development in the offspring, report the researchers from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit and Laval University.
“This study, which is the first to examine the effects of naturally occurring variability in prenatal DHA intake on cognitive and motor development, complements findings from maternal dietary supplementation studies about the beneficial effects of increased maternal DHA intake during pregnancy,” wrote lead author Joseph Jacobson.
The research adds to our understanding of how omega-3 plays an important role in the development of the baby in utero, with a wealth of other studies reporting that a diet rich in the DHA omega-3 fatty acid during pregnancy and breastfeeding is associated with healthy pregnancies as well as the mental and visual development of infants.
Mothers are also said to be less at risk of post partum depression or mood change, and to recover more quickly after pregnancy, if they consume enough of the fatty acid.
Only recently omega-3 pioneer Dr. Jorn Dyerberg told NutraIngredients.com in an exclusive interview that he expected omega-3 recommendations to become broader and broader, including supplements during pregnancy and early childhood.
This is because of the benefits reported for mental development, and there are studies that show omega-3 supplementation can influence breast milk composition and subsequently a child’s brain, he said.
The new results support the growing body of science indicating the benefits of an omega-3-rich maternal diet and improved health of the offspring.
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=84565-omega-umbilical-cord-dha