Research published in the British Medical Journal (2012; 344:e184) examined prenatal supplementation in mothers of 706 infants considered to be at high hereditary risk for allergic disease. In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, participants received either a placebo or 900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily from the 21st week of gestation until delivery.
At follow-up, the investigators reported a lower prevalence of egg sensitivity and atopic eczema among infants whose mothers received omega-3 supplementation. A modest difference was also reported for immunoglobulin E–associated allergic disease, with rates of approximately 13% in the placebo group compared with 9% in the omega-3 group.
These findings contributed to early interest in prenatal fatty acid status and immune development. Subsequent research has continued to explore this area, with varying results, and newer studies are needed to clarify the durability and clinical relevance of these observations. Essential fatty acids are an important part of health.
