Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Previous studies suggest that fish oils with omega 3 fatty acids can help decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers, reduce inflammation and improve attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Now research reports that women who consume fish oil supplements during pregnancy can benefit their child's hand-eye coordination.
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood (Fetal and Neonatal Edition), examined the effect of fish oil supplementation on child development. Researchers at the University of Western Australia in Australia administered 5 grams of fish oil (containing 2.2 grams DHA and 1.1 grams EPA) or a placebo daily to 98 pregnant women, from the twentieth week of pregnancy until delivery. Mental development, language, behavior and hand-eye coordination tests were obtained from their children at 2 1/2 years old.
The researchers found that 33 children of the women in the fish oil group had significantly higher scores for hand and-eye coordination, than 39 children of the women in the placebo group. Better eye hand coordination scores were linked with higher cord blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of arachidonic acid (omega-6 fatty acids). However, growth measurements were similar for both groups of children.
"Maternal fish oil supplementation during pregnancy is safe for the fetus and infant, and may have potentially beneficial effects on the child's eye and hand coordination," the study authors write. "Further studies are needed to determine the significance of this finding."
REFERENCES:
1. Dunstan JA et al. Cognitive assessment at 21/2 years following fish oil supplementation in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2006 Dec 21; [Epub ahead of print].
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on February 27, 2007 03:35 PM
