Pregnant women across South Australia are to receive recommendations to use omega-3 supplements as part of a study to reduce the incidence of premature births.
Clinical Service Director of SA Pathology, Tom Dodd said the new guidance would be provided to participants in a Statewide study to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of omega-3 supplementation.
“Research shows pregnant women who have a low concentration of omega-3 in their blood are more likely to have an early birth, so study participants are given information on how appropriate supplements can increase their omega-3 levels and significantly reduce their likelihood of a preterm birth,” Dr Dodd said.
“Since April this year, we have partnered with South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) to introduce free omega-3 screening to our existing antenatal testing, which is used to detect a range of foetal anomalies such as neural tube defects and Down Syndrome,” he said.
Dr Dodd said that under the updated SAHMRI guidance, women with moderate omega-3 levels, who would prefer to continue taking prenatal multivitamins containing low-dose omega-3 which was shown to be safe, would be advised to do so.
“This differs from the previous advice which recommended pregnant women with moderate omega-3 levels stop taking any omega-3 fatty acid supplements,” he said.
Deputy Director and Women and Kids Theme Leader at SAHMRI, Maria Makrides said the new advice would be included in the study, which also recommended women with low omega-3 levels take omega-3 fatty acid supplements until 37 weeks, to reduce the risk of early preterm birth.
