biostudies-literatureChristifano DNNICHD NIH HHS93-99https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9852746biostudies-literatureUnknown53<h4>Background</h4>Two randomized trials found women with low blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; an omega 3 fatty acid) had fewer early preterm births (<34 weeks gestation) if they were assigned to high dose DHA supplementation, however, there is currently no capacity for clinicians who care for pregnancies to obtain a blood assessment of DHA. Determining a way to identify women with low DHA intake whose risk could be lowered by high dose DHA supplementation is desired.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine if assessing DHA intake can identify pregnancies that benefit from high dose DHA supplementation.<h4>Study design</h4>This secondary analysis used birth data from 1310 pregnant women who completed a 7-question food frequency questionnaire (DHA-FFQ) at 16.8 ± 2.5 weeks gestation that is validated to assess DHA status. They were then randomly assigned to a standard (200 mg/day) or high dose (800 or 1000 mg/day) DHA supplement for the remainder of pregnancy. Bayesian logistic regressions were fitted for early preterm birth and preterm birth as a function of DHA intake and assigned DHA dose.<h4>Results</h4>Participants who consumed less than 150 mg/day DHA prior to 20 weeks' gestation (n = 810/1310, 58.1%) had a lower Bayesian posterior probability (pp) of early preterm birth if they were assigned to high dose DHA supplementation (1.4% vs 3.9%, pp = 0.99). The effect on preterm birth (<37 weeks) was also significant (11.3% vs 14.8%, pp = 0.97).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The DHA-FFQ can identify pregnancies that will benefit most from high dose DHA supplementation and reduce the risk of preterm birth. The DHA-FFQ is low burden to providers and patients and could be easily implemented in obstetrical practice.Clinical nutrition ESPENDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake estimated from a 7-question survey identifies pregnancies most likely to benefit from high-dose DHA supplementation.PMC9852746R01 HD086001R01 HD083292Kerling EHGustafson KMCarlson SEBrown ARCamargo JTDeFranco EAGajewski BJCrawford SALee GChristifano DNValentine CJfalseDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake estimated from a 7-question survey identifies pregnancies most likely to benefit from high-dose DHA supplementation.<h4>Background</h4>Two randomized trials found women with low blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; an omega 3 fatty acid) had fewer early preterm births (<34 weeks gestation) if they were assigned to high dose DHA supplementation, however, there is currently no capacity for clinicians who care for pregnancies to obtain a blood assessment of DHA. Determining a way to identify women with low DHA intake whose risk could be lowered by high dose DHA supplementation is desired.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine if assessing DHA intake can identify pregnancies that benefit from high dose DHA supplementation.<h4>Study design</h4>This secondary analysis used birth data from 1310 pregnant women who completed a 7-question food frequency questionnaire (DHA-FFQ) at 16.8 ± 2.5 weeks gestation that is validated to assess DHA status. They were then randomly assigned to a standard (200 mg/day) or high dose (800 or 1000 mg/day) DHA supplement for the remainder of pregnancy. Bayesian logistic regressions were fitted for early preterm birth and preterm birth as a function of DHA intake and assigned DHA dose.<h4>Results</h4>Participants who consumed less than 150 mg/day DHA prior to 20 weeks' gestation (n = 810/1310, 58.1%) had a lower Bayesian posterior probability (pp) of early preterm birth if they were assigned to high dose DHA supplementation (1.4% vs 3.9%, pp = 0.99). The effect on preterm birth (<37 weeks) was also significant (11.3% vs 14.8%, pp = 0.97).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The DHA-FFQ can identify pregnancies that will benefit most from high dose DHA supplementation and reduce the risk of preterm birth. The DHA-FFQ is low burden to providers and patients and could be easily implemented in obstetrical practice.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-26T11:55:06.206Z2025-02-19T04:59:36.458ZS-EPMC98527463665793610.1016/j.clnesp.2022.12.004