Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy

Overview

Journal Rev Obstet Gynecol

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2011 Mar 3

PMID 21364848

Citations 65

Authors

Jaclyn M Coletta

Stacey J Bell

Ashley S Roman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that must be consumed in the diet. Adequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is vitally important during pregnancy as they are critical building blocks of fetal brain and retina. Omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role in determining the length of gestation and in preventing perinatal depression. The most biologically active forms of omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, which are primarily derived from marine sources such as seafood and algae. Recent surveys, however, indicate that pregnant women in the United States and in other countries eat little fish and therefore do not consume enough omega-3 fatty acids, primarily due to concern about the adverse effects of mercury and other contaminants on the developing fetus. This review discusses the benefits of omega-3 fatty acid consumption during pregnancy and provides guidelines for obstetricians advising patients.

Citing Articles

An updated review of popular dietary patterns during pregnancy and lactation: Trends, benefits, and challenges.

Chouli M, Bothou A, Kyrkou G, Kaliarnta S, Dimitrakopoulou A, Diamanti A Metabol Open. 2025; 25:100353.

PMID: 40034803 PMC: 11874815. DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2025.100353.

Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Enriched Chicken Meat Consumption in Relation to Oxidative Stress Marker Levels in Young Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Nad T, Kolobaric N, Mihaljevic Z, Drenjancevic I, Susnjara P, Stupin A Antioxidants (Basel). 2025; 14(2).

PMID: 40002390 PMC: 11852193. DOI: 10.3390/antiox14020204.

Omega-3 long chain fatty acids and their metabolites in pregnancy outcomes for the modulation of maternal inflammatory- associated causes of preterm delivery, chorioamnionitis and preeclampsia.

Regidor P, Eiblwieser J, Steeb T, Rizo J F1000Res. 2025; 13:882.

PMID: 39931317 PMC: 11809487. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.153569.2.

Dietary supplements and prevention of preeclampsia.

Ushida T, Tano S, Matsuo S, Fuma K, Imai K, Kajiyama H Hypertens Res. 2025; .

PMID: 39930022 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-025-02144-9.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Human Health: A Key to Modern Nutritional Balance in Association with Polyphenolic Compounds from Food Sources.

Mititelu M, Lupuliasa D, Neacsu S, Olteanu G, Busnatu S, Mihai A Foods. 2025; 14(1.

PMID: 39796335 PMC: 11719865. DOI: 10.3390/foods14010046.

References

Helland I, Saugstad O, Smith L, Saarem K, Solvoll K, Ganes T . Similar effects on infants of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids supplementation to pregnant and lactating women. Pediatrics. 2001; 108(5):E82. DOI: 10.1542/peds.108.5.e82. View

Koletzko B, Cetin I, Brenna J . Dietary fat intakes for pregnant and lactating women. Br J Nutr. 2007; 98(5):873-7. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114507764747. View

Mozaffarian D, Rimm E . Fish intake, contaminants, and human health: evaluating the risks and the benefits. JAMA. 2006; 296(15):1885-99. DOI: 10.1001/jama.296.15.1885. View

Harper M, Thom E, Klebanoff M, Thorp Jr J, Sorokin Y, Varner M . Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to prevent recurrent preterm birth: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2010; 115(2 Pt 1):234-242. PMC: 4022705. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181cbd60e. View

Olsen S . Is supplementation with marine omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy a useful tool in the prevention of preterm birth?. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2004; 47(4):768-74. DOI: 10.1097/01.grf.0000141430.57412.56. View

Wu Y, Backstrand K, Zhao S, Fullerton H, Johnston S . Declining diagnosis of birth asphyxia in California: 1991-2000. Pediatrics. 2004; 114(6):1584-90. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2004-0708. View

Helland I, Smith L, Saarem K, Saugstad O, Drevon C . Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children's IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics. 2003; 111(1):e39-44. DOI: 10.1542/peds.111.1.e39. View

Braunholtz D, Edwards S, Lilford R . Are randomized clinical trials good for us (in the short term)? Evidence for a "trial effect". J Clin Epidemiol. 2001; 54(3):217-24. DOI: 10.1016/s0895-4356(00)00305-x. View

Roman A, Schreher J, Mackenzie A, Nathanielsz P . Omega-3 fatty acids and decidual cell prostaglandin production in response to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006; 195(6):1693-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.04.009. View

10.

Graham E, Ruis K, Hartman A, Northington F, Fox H . A systematic review of the role of intrapartum hypoxia-ischemia in the causation of neonatal encephalopathy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008; 199(6):587-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.06.094. View

11.

Berman D, Liu Y, Barks J, Mozurkewich E . Docosahexaenoic acid confers neuroprotection in a rat model of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia potentiated by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010; 202(5):469.e1-6. PMC: 3535291. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.01.076. View

12.

Owen C, Rees A, Parker G . The role of fatty acids in the development and treatment of mood disorders. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2008; 21(1):19-24. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e3282f29841. View

13.

Zhang W, Hu X, Yang W, Gao Y, Chen J . Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation confers long-term neuroprotection against neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury through anti-inflammatory actions. Stroke. 2010; 41(10):2341-7. PMC: 3021248. DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.586081. View

14.

Ramakrishnan U, Stein A, Parra-Cabrera S, Wang M, Imhoff-Kunsch B, Juarez-Marquez S . Effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy on gestational age and size at birth: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Mexico. Food Nutr Bull. 2010; 31(2 Suppl):S108-16. DOI: 10.1177/15648265100312S203. View

15.

Furuhjelm C, Warstedt K, Larsson J, Fredriksson M, Bottcher M, Falth-Magnusson K . Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation may decrease the risk of infant allergy. Acta Paediatr. 2009; 98(9):1461-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01355.x. View

16.

Bell S, Bradley D, Forse R, Bistrian B . The new dietary fats in health and disease. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997; 97(3):280-6; quiz 287-8. DOI: 10.1016/S0002-8223(97)00072-2. View

17.

Innis S, Friesen R . Essential n-3 fatty acids in pregnant women and early visual acuity maturation in term infants. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87(3):548-57. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/87.3.548. View

18.

Golding J, Steer C, Emmett P, Davis J, Hibbeln J . High levels of depressive symptoms in pregnancy with low omega-3 fatty acid intake from fish. Epidemiology. 2009; 20(4):598-603. DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e31819d6a57. View

19.

Freeman M, Davis M, Sinha P, Wisner K, Hibbeln J, Gelenberg A . Omega-3 fatty acids and supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: a randomized placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2008; 110(1-2):142-8. PMC: 5598081. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2007.12.228. View

20.

Simopoulos A, Leaf A, Salem Jr N . Essentiality of and recommended dietary intakes for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Ann Nutr Metab. 1999; 43(2):127-30. DOI: 10.1159/000012777. View