Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 May;88(5):331-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2013.01.009. Epub 2013 Feb 20.

Effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy on fetal heart rate and variability: a randomized clinical trial

K M Gustafson  1 , S E Carlson, J Colombo, H-W Yeh, D J Shaddy, S Li, E H Kerling
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy on fetal heart rate and variability: a randomized clinical trial

K M Gustafson et al. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2013 May.

Abstract

DHA (22:6n-3) supplementation during infancy has been associated with lower heart rate (HR) and improved neurobehavioral outcomes. We hypothesized that maternal DHA supplementation would improve fetal cardiac autonomic control and newborn neurobehavior. Pregnant women were randomized to 600 mg/day of DHA or placebo oil capsules at 14.4 (+/-4) weeks gestation. Fetal HR and HRV were calculated from magnetocardiograms (MCGs) at 24, 32 and 36 weeks gestational age (GA). Newborn neurobehavior was assessed using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Post-partum maternal and infant red blood cell (RBC) DHA was significantly higher in the supplemented group as were metrics of fetal HRV and newborn neurobehavior in the autonomic and motor clusters. Higher HRV is associated with more responsive and flexible autonomic nervous system (ANS). Coupled with findings of improved autonomic and motor behavior, these data suggest that maternal DHA supplementation during pregnancy may impart an adaptive advantage to the fetus.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01007110.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. DiPietro JA, Bornstein MH, Hahn CS, Costigan K, Achy-Brou A. Fetal heart rate and variability: stability and prediction to developmental outcomes in early childhood. Child Dev. 2007;78:1788–1798. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Christensen JH. n-3 fatty acids and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Emphasis on heart rate variability. Dan Med Bull. 2003;50:347–367. - PubMed
    1. Christensen JH, Schmidt EB. Autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability and n-3 fatty acids. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2007;8(1):S19–22. - PubMed
    1. Holguin F, Tellez-Rojo MM, Lazo M, Mannino D, Schwartz J, Hernandez M, Romieu I. Cardiac autonomic changes associated with fish oil vs soy oil supplementation in the elderly. Chest. 2005;127:1102–1107. - PubMed
    1. Pivik RT, Dykman RA, Jing H, Gilchrist JM, Badger TM. Early infant diet and the omega 3 fatty acid DHA: effects on resting cardiovascular activity and behavioral development during the first half-year of life. Dev Neuropsychol. 2009;34:139–158. - PubMed

Publication types

Substances

Associated data