Fish Oil and Folate Supplementation During Pregnancy

Dietary Supply of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and 5-methyl-tetrahydro-folate (MTHF) During the Second Half of Pregnancy and Early Infancy

Pregnant women are randomised to supplementation with fish oil, methyl tetrahydro folic acid, both or a placebo during the second half of pregnancy. Biochemical measures are determined in maternal blood during pregnancy and in cord blood.

Non invasive follow up examinations of infants at ages 4, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8, 9 and 9.5 years focus on long term effects of supplementation anthropometric development, neurological development and allergy risk.

Inclusion Criteria:

• singleton pregnancy
• gestation <20 week at enrollment
• intention to deliver in one of the study centers
• body weight at time of enrollment from 50 kg to 92 kg

Exclusion Criteria:

• serious chronic illness (eg, diabetes, hepatitis)
• use fish oil supplements since the beginning of pregnancy
• use of folate or vitamin B-12 supplements after gestation week 16