Work

The Effect of Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Offspring Fat Mass and Distribution at 24 Months Old

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is related to increased offspring fat accrual, and increased fat mass (FM) is related to obesity development. Prenatal DHA supplementation has been linked to lower levels of offspring FM; however, conflicting data exist. Objectives This study aimed to determine if there is a protective effect of prenatal DHA supplementation on offspring fat accrual and adipose tissue deposition at 24 mo in offspring born to females who gain excessive weight compared with nonexcessive weight during pregnancy. We also explored if the effect of DHA dose on FM differed by offspring sex. Methods Infants born to females who participated in the Assessment of DHA on Reducing Early Preterm Birth randomized controlled trial (ADORE) were recruited. In ADORE, females were randomly assigned to either a high or low prenatal DHA supplement. Offspring body composition and adipose tissue distribution were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). GWG was categorized as excessive or not excessive based on clinical guidelines. Results For total FM, there was a significant main effect for the DHA dose ( P = 0.03); however, the dose by GWG status was nonsignificant ( P = 0.44). Therefore, a higher prenatal DHA dose was related to greater offspring FM (622.9 g greater) and unrelated to GWG status. When investigating a DHA dose by sex effect, a significant main effect for DHA dose ( P = 0.01) was detected for central FM. However, no interaction was detected ( P = 0.98), meaning that both boys and girls had greater central FM if their mother was assigned to the higher DHA dose. Conclusions Greater prenatal DHA supplementation was associated with greater offspring FM and adipose tissue distribution at 24 mo. It will be important to understand if these effects persist into childhood. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03310983.

Source: Current Developments in Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.103771

Authors: Holly R Hull, Alexandra Brown, Byron Gajewski, Debra K Sullivan, Susan E Carlson

Institution: University of Kansas Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Fatty Acid Research and Health

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,000