Understanding the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during pregnancy on multiple outcomes from the DOMInO trial

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been postulated to extend the period of gestation, increase birth weight, enhance neurodevelopment and reduce the risk of allergic disease. Because of its large sample size and relatively broad inclusion criteria, the DOMInO (DHA to Optimise Mother Infant Outcome) trial offers the opportunity to explore the effect of prenatal DHA supplementation of multiple outcomes. Overall, the DOMInO trial showed that prenatal DHA supplementation increases the length of gestation, reduces the risk of early preterm and low birth weight, has little or no effect on maternal postpartum depression and early childhood neurodevelopment but reduces the risk of atopic eczema and sensitisation in the first year of life. The clinical utility of prenatal DHA supplementation of reducing early birth is important and requires further investigation.