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Supplementing lactating women with DHA increases DHA concentrations in both breast milk and infant erythrocyte membranes while leading to an alteration in the infant's n–6:n–3 fatty acid ratio.
A study depicted that maternal supplementation of 400 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from early pregnancy to 6 months postpartum increased DHA levels in breast milk and infant erythrocytes while reducing the n–6:n–3 ratio. Shweta Khandelwal et al. aimed to investigate the concentrations of n–6 and n–3 fatty acids in pregnant women and their infants during different stages of pregnancy and lactation.
The focus was on the impact of maternal supplementation with 400 mg/day of algal DHA compared to a placebo. A group of 957 pregnant women in their first 20 weeks of pregnancy participated in the study and were randomized to receive either 400 mg/day of algal DHA or a placebo for the duration of 6 months postpartum. Blood samples were gathered from the mothers at recruitment, delivery, and 6 months post-delivery.
Infant blood samples were collected at birth (from the umbilical cord) and at 12 months (venous). Additionally, a subset of participants provided breast milk samples at delivery, 1 month, and 6 months after delivery. Utilizing gas chromatography, fatty acid profile of the samples was examined. The concentration of DHA was observed to be greater in erythrocyte and breast milk samples from the group receiving DHA supplementation at all subsequent time points.
The n–6:n–3 ratio was reduced among women in the DHA group both at delivery [DHA: 4.08 (1.79); placebo: 5.84 (3.57)] and at 6 months following delivery [DHA: 5.34 (2.64); placebo: 7.69 (2.9)]. Additionally, infants born to mothers who received DHA exhibited a lower n–6:n–3 ratio at both delivery and 12 months.
Although the n–6:n–3 ratio of breast milk elevated from delivery through 1 to 6 months, it remained declined in the DHA-supplemented group compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, while maternal DHA supplementation positively influenced DHA levels, achieving the recommended n–6:n–3 ratios remained a challenge.
Current Developments in Nutrition
Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in lactating women increases breast milk and erythrocyte membrane docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and alters infant n-6: n-3 fatty acid ratio
Shweta Khandelwal et al.
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