The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy have been associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birthweight. However, inconsistent Show more
The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy have been associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birthweight. However, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding their impact on children's neurodevelopmental trajectories. We performed a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies to assess the effects of prenatal omega-3 supplementation on long-term outcomes in offspring and to identify key relevant neurodevelopmental domains to guide the design and prioritization of future clinical follow-up studies. The databases consulted included PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Relevant information such as characteristics of nutritional interventions, maternal conditions, offspring characteristics and article attributes were extracted. Sample sizes, means, and standard deviation or standard error for the outcome measures were also extracted. The search yielded 3198 articles; 35 met inclusion criteria, with 11 included in a random-effects meta-analysis of memory retention, and 8 in a meta-analysis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Our findings show that maternal omega-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy improves memory retention (SMD=0.671; CI 95 %: 0.163-1.179; p = 0.010) and increases levels of BDNF (SMD=0.838; CI 95 %: 0.369-1.307; p = 0.000) in the offspring. These effects are more pronounced in offspring exposed to prenatal adversities. Maternal omega-3 supplementation shows promise in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, although findings remain heterogeneous. Maternal omega-3 supplementation appears as a safe and effective means to improve offspring neurodevelopment, with stronger effects under adverse gestational conditions, highlighting its potential for at-risk populations. Show less
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the most critical polyunsaturated fatty acids, is vital for the neurological growth and cognitive function of infants and children. Approximately 98% of DHA in breas Show more
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the most critical polyunsaturated fatty acids, is vital for the neurological growth and cognitive function of infants and children. Approximately 98% of DHA in breast milk exists as triglycerides, with 60% esterified at the sn-2 position. To demonstrate the necessity of mimicking the form of DHA present in breast milk in nutritional food for young children, this study administered diets with varying sn-2 DHA contents (10%, 30%, and 50%) to four groups of mice and analyzed their behavioral performance, brain DHA concentration, expression of brain fatty acid transport proteins, histopathology, and expression of synaptic-related proteins in the hippocampus after 4 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control group, mice in the 50% sn-2 DHA group exhibited superior learning and memory capabilities in behavioral tests, with the most pronounced behavioral improvements in mice, which correlated with higher brain DHA accumulation (from 0.870 ± 0.055 mg/g brain to 1.809 ± 0.132 mg/g brain, p < 0.05), increased levels of MFSD2A (1.40-fold, p > 0.05), FABP5 (2.36-fold, p < 0.05), FATP1 (1.47-fold, p < 0.05), and ACSL6 (1.48-fold, p < 0.05), improved hippocampal neuron morphology, and enhanced the level of BDNF (1.55-fold, p < 0.05), SYN (1.45-fold, p < 0.05), and PSD-95 (1.57-fold, p < 0.05). These findings establish a foundation for developing DHA nutritional supplements. Show less