Docosahexaenoic acid is important throughout pregnancy and lactation for the health of both the mother and her baby. Under the present dietary conditions, though, maternal PUFA intake is insufficient to keep up with the increased demand during pregnancy. Especially in the last trimester, the period during which much of the fetus’ brain, eye and nervous system development occurs, maternal DHA levels decline significantly.
Most national and international authorities (NIH, ISSFAL, AFSSA, and others) therefore recommend increasing DHA intake during pregnancy and lactation to 200-300 mg/day.
After birth, the newborn baby continues to obtain DHA from the mother via breast milk. Prenatal and early postnatal positive DHA status is thought to have important consequences on the growth and function of the central nervous system (CNS) and, consequently, on neurological and cognitive development of the child.
Additionally, human pregnancy supplementation trials with omega-3 fatty acids have shown a significant relationship to full-term pregnancy and healthy mental status post-partum.
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