Supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy in relation to risk of asthma and atopic disease during childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

  • Linnea Bärebring Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Bright I. Nwaru Krefting Research Centre, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Christel Lamberg-Allardt Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
  • Birna Thorisdottir Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, Health Science Institute, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Alfons Ramel Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Fredrik Söderlund Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, the Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
  • Erik Kristoffer Arnesen Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Jutta Dierkes Centre for Nutrition, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen; and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
  • Agneta Åkesson Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, the Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v66.8842
Keywords: Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, pregnancy, systematic revie, asthma, atopic, disease

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy reduces the risk of developing asthma or atopic disease during childhood.

Methods: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus up to 2021-09-20, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of supplemental long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy for the prevention of childhood asthma or allergy. Article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2.0) were independently conducted by two assessors. The evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to the criteria of the World Cancer Research Fund and meta-analyzed.

Results: A total of nine RCTs met inclusion criteria; six were conducted during pregnancy, two during infancy, and one during both pregnancy and infancy. Meta-analysis showed that long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of asthma/wheeze in the child (RR 0.62 [95% confidence interval 0.34–0.91], P = 0.005, I2 = 67.4%), but not other outcomes. Supplementation during lactation of infancy showed no effects on any outcome. The strength of evidence that long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy reduces risk of asthma/wheeze in the offspring was considered limited – suggestive. No conclusion could be made for the effects of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy for other atopic diseases, or for supplementation during lactation or infancy for any outcome.

Conclusion: The intake of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk of asthma and/or wheeze in the offspring, but the strength of evidence is low. There is inconclusive evidence for the effects of long chain n-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy for other outcomes, as well as for supplementation during lactation or infancy.

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Published
2022-10-11
How to Cite
Bärebring L., Nwaru B. I., Lamberg-Allardt C., Thorisdottir B., Ramel A., Söderlund F., Kristoffer Arnesen E., Dierkes J., & Åkesson A. (2022). Supplementation with long chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, or infancy in relation to risk of asthma and atopic disease during childhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Food & Nutrition Research, 66. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v66.8842
Issue
Vol 66 (2022)
Section
Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
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