Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Analysis of 695 children (3 years post-delivery) revealed that children of mothers who supplemented with fish oil in the third trimester of their pregnancies had a 16.9% reduction in persistent wheeze and asthma compared to 23.7% in the control group, corresponding to a relative reduction of 30.7%.
An estimated 1 in 10 children have asthma and of those 57% had at least one medically documented asthma attack in 2008 (2). Research has shown a diet deficient in omega-3s, with more omega-6 oil can increase inflammation, wheezing and asthma disorders (1, 3). A recent study found that supplementing fish-oil during pregnancy decreased wheezing and asthma in children up to 5 years of age (1).
The research included 736 pregnant women from 22-26 weeks gestation. The women were randomly assigned to either 2.4g omega-3 oil (55% EPA, 37% DHA; n=368) or a placebo (Olive oil, n=368). The women continued supplementation until 1-week after delivery. When the youngest child in the study turned three, children were assessed for wheezing and asthma.
A total of 695 children (95.5%) were included in the final analysis 3-years after delivery. An additional optional 5-year follow-up was completed for 647 children (93.1%).
After follow-up 136 of the 695 children (19.6%) received a diagnosis of persistent wheeze or asthma. The risk of persistent wheeze or asthma was 16.9% in the fish oil group and 23.7% in the placebo group (P=0.035). This was a relative risk reduction of persistent wheeze or asthma of 30.7% by supplementing fish oil during the last trimester of pregnancy (1).
The effect of supplementation was most effective in children of mothers who had low blood levels of EPA and DHA at randomization (the lowest third of the trial group) with an estimated daily intake of less than 321 mg omega-3 fatty acids. In these children the risk of persistent wheeze or asthma was 17.5% in the fish oil group compared with 34.1% in the placebo group. This corresponded to a relative risk reduction of 54.1% (P=0.011) (1).
In addition, supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of lower respiratory tract infections in the first 3-years of life and up to the 5-year follow-up (1). There was no significant difference in the risk for eczema or allergies (1).
It is important to note that the daily dose of fish oil used in the study was estimated to be 20 times the normal intake of omega-3 fatty acid in Canada and the United States (1, 4). It is estimated that 80% of the world population consumes less than 250 mg of EPA and DHA per day, which is well below the 321 mg level were the results of this study were found to be most effective (1, 5).
In conclusion, supplementing fish oil in the later stages of pregnancy was associated with a significant improvement in persistent wheezing and asthma in the children up to 3 and 5-years later in Denmark (1). It is recommended the study be repeated in other populations to confirm results (1).
Source: Bisgaard, Hans, et al. “Fish Oil–Derived Fatty Acids in Pregnancy and Wheeze and Asthma in Offspring.” New England Journal of Medicine 375.26 (2016): 2530-2539.
Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Medical Society.
Posted May 2, 2017.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Bisgaard H, et al. Fish Oil-Derived Fatty Acids in Pregnancy and Wheeze and Asthma in Offspring. N Engl N med 375; 26:2530-9.
- Asthma in the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accessed 4/27/17 https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/asthma/
- Leaf A, Weber PC. A new ear for science in nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 1987; 45:1048-53.
- Denomme J, et al. Directly quantitated dietary (n-3) fatty acid intakes of pregnant Canadian women are lower than current dietary recommendations. J Nutr 2005; 135:206-11.
- Micha R, et al. Global, regional, and national consumption levels of dietary fats and oils in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis including 266 country-specific nutrition surveys. BMJ 2014;348:g2272.
