Impact of Maternal DHA Supplementation on Infant Health

This study aimed to evaluate how maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during pregnancy and breastfeeding affects infants’ immune and inflammatory responses and specific health issues.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with healthy pregnant women aged 18-35, from up to 20 weeks of gestation until 6 months postpartum. The trial compared the effects of 400 mg of algal-derived DHA to a placebo. Out of 3379 screened women, 1171 were eligible, and 957 participated. Maternal recall was used to assess the occurrence of 11 common infant health issues, including cough, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, convulsions, fever, vomiting, rash, ear discharge, excessive crying, and diarrhea at 1, 6, and 12 months.  

The results demonstrated: 

• Among the 957 participants, there were 902 live births, with morbidity data collected for 871, 847, and 878 infants at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. 
• The incidence of symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, convulsions, fever, and vomiting was similar between the DHA and placebo groups. 
• However, at one month, a lower percentage of infants in the DHA group exhibited respiratory infection symptoms (29.3% vs. 34.9%, OR 0.74).
• By six months, the DHA group also reported fewer instances of other symptoms like anemia and urinary tract infections (1.4% vs. 4.8%, OR 0.29).

To summarize, maternal DHA supplementation before and after birth did not significantly alter the occurrence of common infant health issues at 1, 6, and 12 months. Further carefully designed studies are needed to better understand the impact of maternal DHA supplementation on infant morbidity.

Source: Khandelwal S, et al. Docosahexaenoic Acid SupplementaƟon During Pregnancy and LactaƟon and Infant Morbidity: Findings from DHANI Trial. IAP. March 2025;62:189-196. https://www.indianpediatrics.net/mar2025/189.pdf