Consumption of fish oil during pregnancy is linked to increase in lean and bone mass in children in the first six years of life
Intake of fish oil in the later stages of pregnancy is associated with a higher increase in total lean and bone mass, but with no increase in fat mass in children in the first six years of life, suggests the findings of a trial published in The BMJ.
The trial was done to examine the effect of fish oil supplementation during pregnancy on the growth and body composition of children later in life.
736 pregnant women from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood study were randomised to receive n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) (fish oil) or olive oil (control) daily from week 24 of pregnancy week until one week after birth.
“The body composition at age 6 years in children given fish oil supplementation was characterised by a proportional increase in lean, bone, and fat mass suggesting a general growth stimulating effect.”
Height, weight, head and waist measurements were assessed 11 times from birth to age 6 years and adjusted for age and sex. The results showed sustained higher BMI from 1 year to 6 years of age.
Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans at 3.5 and 6 years of age and it reflected a proportional increase in lean mass, bone mass, and fat mass, suggesting that the fish oil supplementation had a general growth stimulating effect.
DXA scans measured at 6 years of age showed children whose mothers had taken fish oil supplements while pregnant had a 395g higher total mass, 280.7g higher lean mass, 10.3g higher bone mineral content and 116.3g higher fat mass compared with children of mothers who took the control oil.
The researchers conclude: “The body composition at age 6 years in children given fish oil supplementation was characterised by a proportional increase in lean, bone, and fat mass suggesting a general growth stimulating effect.”
