Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy may lower asthma risk

Preventing allergy is a priority for both physicians and parents. There have been many studies attempting to lessen the risk of both food and environmental allergies. Here are a few examples of possible interventions to decrease the risk of allergy;

• Frequent application of emollients (moisturizers) from birth.
• Breast feeding, hypoallergenic formulas, early introduction of foods.
• Probiotics.
• Avoiding pets OR adding more pets.

A study, started in 1990 and recently completed and accepted for publication, looked at fish oil supplementation in pregnancy*. Over 500 pregnant mothers were given supplements containing fish oil, olive oil or no oil. The hypothesis was that maternal supplementation with long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have immunological effects on the developing fetus and decrease allergies and asthma. The children were evaluated when they reached 18 years of age. RESULTS: The probability of having had asthma medication prescribed was significantly reduced in the fish oil group compared to the olive oil group (HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.90, p=0.02). The probability of having had allergic rhinitis medication prescribed was also reduced in the fish oil group compared to the olive oil group (HR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.47-1.05, p=0.09), but the difference was not statistically significant. Self-reported information collected at age 18-19 years supported these findings. CONCLUSION: Maternal supplementation with fish oil may have prophylactic potential for long-term prevention of offspring asthma.