Supplementation of fish-oil and soy-oil during pregnancy and psychomotor development of infants

J Health Popul Nutr. 2006 Mar;24(1):48-56.

Abstract

Supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in infancy improves neuro-developmental outcomes, but there is limited information about the impact of supplementing pregnant mothers with DHA on the development of their infants. In a follow-up of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial with 400 pregnant mothers, the effects of supplementation of fish-oil or soy-oil (4 g/day) during the last trimester of pregnancy on psychomotor development and behaviour of infants at 10 months of age (n=249) were assessed. The quality of psychosocial stimulation at home (HOME) and nutritional status of the subjects were also measured. There were no significant differences in the fish-oil group and soy-oil group in any of the developmental (mean +/-SD mental development index: 102.5 +/- 8.0 vs. 101.5 +/- 7.8, psychomotor development index: 101.7 +/- 10.0 vs. 100.5 +/- 10.1) or behavioural outcomes. It may, therefore, be concluded that supplementation of fish-oil during the last trimester of pregnancy does not have any added benefit over supplementation of soy-oil on the development or behaviour of infants in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child Development / drug effects*
  • Child Development / physiology
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Fish Oils*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Soybean Oil*

Substances

  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fish Oils
  • Soybean Oil