By Joseph Hazan, M.D.,FACOG
The importance of DHA intake
during pregnancy is well established.
DHA ( Docosahexaenoic Acid ) is different
compared to its precursors ALA (alpha-
linoleic acid) and EPA ( eicosapentaenoic
acid) in terms of its effects on the developing
fetus.
DHA accumulates in the brain and retina of
the developing fetus and provides several
advantages:
1) DHA helps the fetus develop and grow better
with higher birth weight, length and head size
at birth.
2) The length of pregnancy is extended longer
thereby helping prevent prematurity and allowing
the baby to attain better development before
delivery.
3) Babies whose moms took DHA have better
and sharper vision at 2 months of age.
4) Babies whose moms took DHA during pregnancy
have better cognition and higher psychomotor
development.
5) These babies also have scored better at novelty
preference which helps predict IQ attainment.
6) These babies are found to perform better at
problem solving tasks when they reach nine
months of age.
Bibliography:
1) Shim SM, Santerre CR, Burgess JR, Deardorff DC,
Omega 3 – fatty acids and total polychlorinated
biphenyls in 26 dietary supplements. J Food Science.
2003;68(8):2436-2440.
2) Lauritzen l, Hansen HS, Jorgensen MH, Michelsen KF.
The essentiality of of long chain n- fatty acids in relation
to development and function of the brain and retina.
Prog Lipid Res. 2001;40: 1-94.
3) Innis Sm, Friesen RW, Essential n-3 fatty acids in pregnant
women and early visual acuity maturation in term infants.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87: 548-557
4) Judge MP, Harel O. Lammi- Keefe CJ. Maternal consumption
of a docosahexaenoic acid- containing functional food during
pregnancy: benefit for infant performance on problem- solving
but not on recognition memory tasks at age 9 months.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:1572-1577.
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