Omega-3 index of 5 greatly decreases the risk of an early preterm birth

A Prenatal DHA Test to Help Identify Women at Increased Risk for Early Preterm Birth: A Proposal

Nutrients 2018, 10(12), 1933; doi:10.3390/nu10121933

Kristina H. Jackson * and William S. HarrisOrcID

OmegaQuant, LLC, 5009 W. 12th St., Suite 8, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

Fish intake and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a nutrient found in fish, have been favorably linked to several pregnancy outcomes. The risk of early preterm birth (ePT, <34 weeks gestation) is associated with low fish intake and DHA blood levels and can be reduced by supplemental DHA. Here, we summarize the evidence linking blood DHA levels with risk for ePT birth, and based on the available studies, propose that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant aim for a red blood cell (RBC) DHA value of at least 5% (of total RBC fatty acids). In the US, ~70% of women of childbearing age are likely below this cut-point, and dietary intake data suggest that this group, including pregnant women, consumes ~60 mg/day DHA and that >90% of this group do not take an omega-3 supplement. Since the recommendations for women to consume fish and to take a 200 mg DHA supplement during pregnancy are not being heeded generally, there is a need to motivate practitioners and pregnant women to attend to these recommendations. Having an objective prenatal blood DHA test could provide such motivation. More research is needed to test the clinical utility of this proposed target prenatal DHA level.

PDF Table of contents

Relationship between Maternal DHA Levels and Preterm Birth

Is an RBC DHA of >5% a Reasonable Target?

Are There Risks Associated with an RBC DHA >5% in Pregnancy?

How Might a Target RBC DHA Level Be Used in Obstetric Practice?

Why Not Just Recommend Higher DHA Intake to Everyone and Not Test?

Possible Mechanisms for a DHA Effect on Early Preterm Birth

pages listed in BOTH the categories Omega-3 and Pregnancy

This list is automatically updated

{category}

Vitamin D reduces preterm pregnancy costs

Pregnancy category starts with

{include}

Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D has the following summary

{include}

Preterm births are VERY costly – Feb 2017 cost-analysis of Vitamin D and Omega-3

{include}