1. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a crucial fatty acid in pregnancy for
proper fetal neurological development, yet many American women do
not consume an adequate amount of DHA and many prenatal
supplements do not contain DHA. DHA can be a vital nutrient in the
proper development of a fetus’ health, and should be included as part of
a pregnancy supplementation routine. DHA is especially important to
incorporate into during the third trimester for proper fetal development.1
DHA is a vital nutrient to include in a prenatal supplementation routine
to achieve the total recommended daily intake of 12 ounces of fish per
week which would meet the minimum DHA recommendation.2
• Explain how DHA is needed for the fetus’ neurological
development.
• Outline DHA’s mechanisms of action from the mother to the
fetus’ neurodevelopment.
• Stress the importance of DHA supplementation in pregnancy.
It is well established that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and other long
chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) should be consumed during
pregnancy. DHA is a critical component in fetal neurological
development, and supplementation of DHA by the mother during
pregnancy shows strong indications of proper fetal neurological
development.3 Supplementation of DHA is the most crucial during the
final trimester of pregnancy because it is transported to the infant during
the final trimester of gestation in humans and coincides with the later
stages of brain maturation as well as visual development.4 DHA is a vital
fatty acid for fetal development because it is one of two essential fatty
acid that cannot be synthesized de novo in the body.5 DHA currently has
no official standard for intake during pregnancy and should be
considered in prenatal supplementation routines.6 DHA is found in
extremely high amounts in the grey matter of a fetus’ brain as well as the
photoreceptors and it is well established that DHA is a nutrient needed
for proper neurological development.3
DHA is an essential fatty acid, meaning that it must be
consumed in our diet. Fatty acids go through a series of
reactions within the body to become fully utilized as an
essential nutrient. Initially when digested, whether by
supplementation or by a food source these fatty acids are
broken down and enter the mother’s blood. DHA is then
broken down for the fetus while in the mother’s blood to
form free fatty acids.7 DHA can pass through to the
placenta facilitated by placental delivery during the third
trimester of pregnancy.1 Placental lipoprotein lipase is the
key enzyme thought to uptake maternal plasma
triglycerides into free fatty acids for placental uptake and
transfer to the fetus.7 It is also established that a placenta
carries VLDL, LDL, and HDL receptors that may provide DHA
to the fetus through fetal transfer, but the exact
mechanisms still need more research.7 DHA is found in
extremely high amounts in the grey matter of a fetus’ brain
as well as the photoreceptors and it is well established that
DHA is a nutrient needed for proper neurological
development. The current estimate is that approximately
67-75 mg of DHA accumulates in the fetal brain during
pregnancy.3 With an increase in DHA there has been a
positive correlation to the increase of synapse formation in
a child’s brain in particular the prefrontal cortex.3
Studies have shown that it would be beneficial for women to
consume 300mg minimum and 3g maximum of DHA
supplement per day during pregnancy and lactation.6
Prenatal vitamins, medically recognized as specifically
formulated multivitamins, generally include above average
levels of folic acid, Vitamin D, calcium, Vitamin C, Thiamine,
Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, and
Iodine.8 Through research studies and scientific trials it has
been ensured those specific vitamins and minerals serve a
very significant purpose throughout all stages of pregnancy.
According to our findings, DHA (omega-3) and alpha-
linolenic acid, along with arachidonic acid are important
nutrients to be included in prenatal supplementation and
should be continued if the mother is breastfeeding. DHA
has also been shown to lower preterm birth rates, which can
be linked to other deficiencies in essential nutrients as well
as a relationship to neurological defects later on in
adolescence.4
Fish is a basic way to obtain DHA in the diet. There are some
reasons why people are not eating recommended amounts
of fish (12oz/wk). Often, Americans suggest they don’t know
how much fish is needed to achieve this recommendation.2
Some women have a concern of possibly of ingesting
mercury. Taking a DHA supplement will meet the DHA intake
recommendation easily while eliminating many fallacies of
mercury. DHA supplements directly show the consumer how
much DHA is in each capsule and the consumer have more
ease in meeting their need of DHA for pregnancy. DHA
supplements are highly encouraged more than food sources
of DHA because consumers have more ease of access to
them.9 Many other americans do not have current access to
affordable seafood due to the locations that many of them
reside in. Many pregnant women that may be pregnant or
are trying to get pregnant should consider taking a DHA
supplement to benefit their child from many neurological
defects that come from a deficiency in DHA.
Figure 1: Circulating Maternal Fatty Acids By Placental Tissue Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Figure 2: Average DHA Consumption in the USA Source:http://www.rmbarry.com/images/rr_DHAintake.gif
DHA is a vital nutrient in the proper neurological development
in a fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy. The average
American women consumes well below the recommended
amount (1.89 oz/wk), let alone, not consuming enough to
ensure that a growing fetus has enough DHA entering the
placenta during the third trimester.2 This is crucial because DHA
is one of several fatty acids that cannot be synthesized de novo
within the human body. Many American women do not
consume enough fish in their diet, as well as many pregnant
women are commonly concerned with the possibility of
mercury in fish.10 A prenatal vitamin containing DHA should be
clinically prescribed to pregnant women.
maybe include a mention of mercury earlier in the poster.
1. Escolano-Margarit M, Ramos R, Campoy C, et al. Prenatal DHA Status and Neurological Outcome in Children at
Age 5.5 Years Are Positively Associated. Journal Of Nutrition [serial online]. June 2011;141(6):1216-1223.
2. McGuire J, Kaplan J, Lapolla J, Kleiner R. The 2014 FDA assessment of commercial fish: practical considerations
for improved dietary guidance. Nutrition Journal [serial online]. July 13, 2016;15:1-8. Available from: Academic
Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 26, 2016.
3. Harris M. DHA Research . Food Science and Human Nutrition . http://www.fshn.chhs.colostate.edu/faculty-
staff/harris.aspx. Accessed November 3, 2016.
4. Rogers L, Valentine C, Keim S. DHA supplementation: Current implications in pregnancy and childhood.
Pharmacological Research. May 2012; 70:13-19
5. Baack ML, Puumala SE, Messier SE, Pritchett DK, Harris WS. Daily Enteral DHA Supplementation Alleviates
Deficiency in Premature Infants. Lipids. 2016;51(4):423-433. doi:10.1007/s11745-016-4130-4.
6. Kris-Etherton PM, Grieger JA, Etherton TD. Dietary reference intakes for DHA and EPA. Prostaglandins,
Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 2009;81(2-3):99-104. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2009.05.011.
7. Larque E, Demmelmair H, Gil-Sanchez A, et al. Placental transfer of fatty acids and fetal implications. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011;94(6_Suppl). doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.001230
8. Pregnancy and prenatal vitamins. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins. Published
October 5, 2016. Accessed November 8, 2016.
9. Shireman T, Kerling E, Gajewski B, Colombo J, Carlson S. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation (DHA) and the
return on investment for pregnancy outcomes. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA).
2016;111:8-10. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2016.05.008.
10. FAO.org. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report. No. 979 Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on
the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption Published January 25–29.2010.
11. Prenatal Omega-3 Research Report. DHA and Pregnancy.
http://www.rmbarry.com/research/prenatal_omega3.html. Published 2013. Accessed November 8, 2016.
Abstract
Objectives
Background
Background
Related Nutrients
Application
Conclusion
References