Maternal Omega-3 Supplements Linked to Lower Food Allergy Risk in Infants, Study Finds

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A review published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice has found that maternal omega-3 supplementation can reduce the risk of food allergies in infants, including sensitization to eggs and peanuts. However, the study also revealed that omega-3 supplementation during infancy does not have the same protective effect.

The meta-analysis reviewed 12 randomized controlled trials involving 3,274 mother-infant pairs, with varying doses of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The researchers discovered that maternal consumption of omega-3 during pregnancy and lactation significantly reduced the risk of egg and peanut sensitization in infants. Interestingly, the effects of maternal supplementation varied depending on the age of the child.

During the first 3 years of a child’s life, maternal omega-3 supplementation had a significant association with food allergies. However, this protective effect was not observed during the later period. The researchers also noted that the effect of omega-3 supplementation on egg sensitization differed between the early and late periods, while the protective effect on peanut sensitization remained consistent.

Further analysis showed a dose-response relationship between the daily dose of omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy and the incidence of infant egg sensitization. Higher doses were associated with lower incidence rates, with a 3.2% decrease in risk for egg sensitization observed with every 100 mg per day of standard supplementation during the early period.

The researchers emphasized the need for more studies to explore optimal doses and durations of maternal omega-3 interventions, as well as the effects of infant supplementation. They also suggested investigating how factors such as allergic skin inflammation, the gut microbiome, and the timing of food introductions may influence the results. Overall, these findings highlight the potential benefits of maternal omega-3 supplementation in reducing the risk of food allergies in infants.

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