Effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation for pregnant and lactating women in preventing allergic diseases in early childhood
type: CreativeWork
description: It is postulated that maternal n-3 (omega 3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation may modulate a range of inflammatory and immune pathways involved in the development of allergic diseases in early childhood, potentially leading to a reduction of allergic diseases in children. Thus the focus of this thesis was to determine whether maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy or lactation could prevent allergies in children. Two nested follow-up studies from two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were performed, as well as a Cochrane systematic review to address this question. Of the two nested follow-up studies, one was a prenatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation and the other a postnatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation study. Parental reports of allergy outcomes were evaluated in children between birth to three years of age and birth to seven years of age in these studies. The Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis was used to determine overall effects of maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on allergy outcomes of the children involved. All relevant RCTs to date and the data from my two follow-up studies were included in the systematic review. Eight trials involving 3366 women and their 3175 children were included and in these trials, women were supplemented with n-3 LCPUFA during pregnancy (five trials), lactation (two trials) or both pregnancy and lactation (one trial). All trials randomly allocated women to either a n-3 LCPUFA supplement or a control group. The risk of bias varied across the eight included trials in this review with only two trials with a low risk of selection, performance and attrition bias. Overall, there is limited evidence to support maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation for reducing allergic disease in children. Few differences in childhood allergic disease were seen between women who were supplemented with n-3 LCPUFA and those who were not. N-3 LCPUFA supplementation showed a cle…
abstract: It is postulated that maternal n-3 (omega 3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation may modulate a range of inflammatory and immune pathways involved in the development of allergic diseases in early childhood, potentially leading to a reduction of allergic diseases in children. Thus the focus of this thesis was to determine whether maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy or lactation could prevent allergies in children. Two nested follow-up studies from two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were performed, as well as a Cochrane systematic review to address this question. Of the two nested follow-up studies, one was a prenatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation and the other a postnatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation study. Parental reports of allergy outcomes were evaluated in children between birth to three years of age and birth to seven years of age in these studies. The Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis was used to determine overall effects of maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on allergy outcomes of the children involved. All relevant RCTs to date and the data from my two follow-up studies were included in the systematic review. Eight trials involving 3366 women and their 3175 children were included and in these trials, women were supplemented with n-3 LCPUFA during pregnancy (five trials), lactation (two trials) or both pregnancy and lactation (one trial). All trials randomly allocated women to either a n-3 LCPUFA supplement or a control group. The risk of bias varied across the eight included trials in this review with only two trials with a low risk of selection, performance and attrition bias. Overall, there is limited evidence to support maternal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation for reducing allergic disease in children. Few differences in childhood allergic disease were seen between women who were supplemented with n-3 LCPUFA and those who were not. N-3 LCPUFA supplementation showed a cle…
author: Wickrama Gunaratne, Anoja
keywords: LCPUFA, +/- IgE mediated allergy, eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, sensitisation to allergens, randomised clinical trial
date published: 2015
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:51:13Z
provider: University of Adelaide
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Adelaide

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/2440/115480

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.25909/5bd279790e83f