The importance of DHA in pregnancy
The omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a critical nutrient in human nutrition. People cannot make DHA in the body so it must be consumed in foods or obtained from supplements. After 30 years of clinical research, the need for adequate DHA during pregnancy is clearly established.
Everyone needs DHA over their lifetime, but the developing years are fundamental. The greatest time of need for DHA is during infant development and the first 2 years of a child's life 1.
Although DHA is used throughout the whole body, it is most concentrated in the eyes and brain 2. DHA is a very unique fatty acid; there are no other dietary fats similar to its chemical structure. It is because of the unique structure that it is so important for proper development of the eyes, brain and central nervous system.
Results of clinical research with pregnant women tell us that children born of women who consume DHA during pregnancy have better coordination and visual acuity 3,4. Children born of women who underconsume DHA during pregnancy have a higher risk for low verbal IQ scores, reduced fine motor skills and less developed social and communication skills 5.
Because humans cannot make DHA, developing babies are completely dependent on mom for their source of DHA. Many moms are not getting enough.
Experts around the world recommend that pregnant women consume at least 300 mg DHA per day 6. While this recommendation for DHA was determined 10 years ago, researchers report that more than 90% of pregnant women are still not consuming this minimum amount 7. Other researchers discovered the average intake of DHA in a group of pregnant women was only 68 ± 75 mg a day 8. Intake among vegetarian and vegan women is even lower 9. Recent research suggests 900 mg of DHA may be necessary to cover the needs of mother and child during pregnancy 10.
DHA is found in the diet in fish and seafood; is fortified in some food and available as a dietary supplement and in some prenatal vitamins. Read labels!
References
- Carlson SE. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in pregnancy and lactation. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:678S-684S.
- Innis SM. Dietary omega 3 fatty acids and the developing brain. Brain Res 2008;1237:35-43.
- Dunstan JA, Simmer K, Dixon G, Prescott SL. Cognitive assessment of children at age 2(1/2) years after maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2008;93:F45-F50.
- Williams C, Birch EE, Emmett PM, Northstone K. Stereoacuity at age 3.5 y in children born full-term is associated with prenatal and postnatal dietary factors: a report from a population-based cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:316-322.
- Hibbeln JR, Davis JM, Steer C, Emmett P, Rogers I, Williams C, Golding J. Maternal seafood consumption in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood (ALSPAC study): an observational cohort study. Lancet 2007;369:578-585.
- Simopoulos AP, Leaf A, Salem N, Jr. Workshop statement on the essentiality of and recommended dietary intakes for Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2000;63:119-121.
- Denomme J, Stark KD, Holub BJ. Directly quantitated dietary (n-3) fatty acid intakes of pregnant Canadian women are lower than current dietary recommendations. J Nutr 2005;135:206-211.
- Stark KD, Beblo S, Murthy M, Buda-Abela M, Janisse J, Rockett H, Whitty JE, Martier SS, Sokol RJ, Hannigan JH, Salem N, Jr. Comparison of bloodstream fatty acid composition from African-American women at gestation, delivery, and postpartum. J Lipid Res 2005;46:516-525.
- Davis BC, Kris-Etherton PM. Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:640S-646S.
- Hibbeln JR, Davis JM. Considerations regarding neuropsychiatric nutritional requirements for intakes of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2009;81:179-186.
Key Points
- DHA cannot be produced by the human body
- It is a critical nutrient during infant development
- Mom is the only source of DHA for the developing baby
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