Supplementation With Fish Oil in Pregnancy Reduces Gastroenteritis in Early Childhood.

This article focuses on a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LCPUFA) supplementation during pregnancy on gastroenteritis symptoms in children's first three years of life. The study found that maternal supplementation with fish oil–derived n-3 LCPUFAs from the 24th week of pregnancy to one week postpartum led to a 14% overall reduction in days with gastroenteritis symptoms, fewer episodes, and a lower risk of having an episode in offspring. The protective effect was strongest among children whose mothers had low baseline blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), key components of n-3 LCPUFAs. These findings suggest that prenatal n-3 LCPUFA supplementation may serve as a safe and cost-effective preventive measure against early childhood gastrointestinal infections, particularly in populations with low maternal n-3 LCPUFA status.