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Current Pediatric Reviews

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ISSN (Print): 1573-3963
ISSN (Online): 1875-6336

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General Review Article

Prenatal Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid for the Management of Preterm Births: Clinical Information for Practice

Author(s): Shubham Thakur, Ritika Sharma and Subheet Kumar Jain*

Volume 20, Issue 4, 2024

Published on: 22 June, 2023

Page: [489 - 499] Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1573396320666230615090527

Price: $65

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Abstract

Unhealthy pregnancy and the resultant abnormalities in newborns exhibit a significant drawback. Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely, accounting for the majority of deaths among children under the age of 5. India accounts for about a quarter of all preterm birth (PTB) incidences, with few therapeutic options available. However, research shows that consuming more marine foods (rich in omega-3 fatty acids (Ω-3), particularly Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), helps to maintain a healthy pregnancy and can manage or prevent the onset of PTB and its accompanying difficulties. Present circumstances raise concerns about the use of DHA as a medication due to a lack of evidence on the dosage requirements, safety profile, molecular route, and commercially accessible strength for their therapeutic response. Several clinical experiments have been done over the last decade; however, the mixed outcomes have resulted in discrepancies. Most scientific organizations suggest a daily DHA consumption of 250-300 mg. However, this may differ from person to person. As a result, before prescribing a dosage, one should check the DHA concentrations in the individual's blood and then propose a dose that will benefit both the mother and the unborn. Thus, the review focuses on the favourable benefits of Ω-3, particularly DHA during pregnancy and postpartum, therapeutic dose recommendations, safety considerations, particularly during pregnancy, and the mechanistic pathway that might prevent or reduce the frequency of PTB accidents.

Keywords: Cognitive disorders, docosahexaenoic acid, dose recommendation, eicosapentaenoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, preterm birth, prenatal supplementation.

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