Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Exposure Needed to Achieve Maternal-Newborn EQ

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2022 Aug 26

PMID 36014806

Authors

Danielle N Christifano

Kathleen M Gustafson

Susan E Carlson

Nasrin Sultanna

Alexandra Brown

Scott A Sands

John Colombo

Byron J Gajewski

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Achieving maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status equal to or greater than the infant's DHA status at delivery is known as maternal-newborn DHA equilibrium (EQ) and is thought to be important for optimizing newborn DHA status throughout infancy. The objective of this study was to determine the daily DHA intake during pregnancy most likely to result in EQ. The participants ( = 1145) were from two randomized control trials of DHA supplementation in pregnancy. DHA intake was estimated using an abbreviated food frequency questionnaire. Total DHA exposure during pregnancy was calculated as a weighted average of the estimated DHA intake throughout pregnancy and the randomized DHA dose (200, 800, 1000 mg). Red blood cell DHA was measured from maternal and cord blood plasma at delivery and EQ status was calculated. The DHA intake required to achieve EQ was estimated by regression. In terms of DHA exposure, the point estimate and 95% confidence interval to achieve EQ was 643 (583, 735) mg of DHA/day. The results of our trial suggest an intake of 650 mg of DHA/day is necessary to increase the potential for EQ at delivery. The clinical benefits of achieving EQ deserves continued study.

Citing Articles

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake estimated from a 7-question survey identifies pregnancies most likely to benefit from high-dose DHA supplementation.

Christifano D, Crawford S, Lee G, Brown A, Camargo J, Kerling E Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023; 53:93-99.

PMID: 36657936 PMC: 9852746. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.12.004.

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