Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy: A Potential Tool to Prevent Membrane Rupture and Preterm Labor

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Emanuela Pietrantoni²  Federica Del Chierico³  Giuliano Rigon²  Pamela Vernocchi³  Guglielmo Salvatori⁴  Melania Manco¹  Fabrizio Signore² 

[1] Scientific Directorate, Research Unit for Multifactorial Disease, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mail:;Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense, 87, Rome 00151, Italy; E-Mails:;Unit of Metagenomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mails:;Unit of Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 4, Rome 00165, Italy; E-Mail:

关键词: pregnancy;    maternal and fetal health;    fetal growth;    placental disorders;    premature rupture of membranes (PROM);    preterm-premature rupture of membranes (pPROM);    DHA supplementation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms15058024

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are required to maintain the fluidity, permeability and integrity of cell membranes. Maternal dietary supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs during pregnancy has beneficial effects, including increased gestational length and reduced risk of pregnancy complications. Significant amounts of ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are transferred from maternal to fetal blood, hence ensuring high levels of DHA in the placenta and fetal bloodstream and tissues. Fetal DHA demand increases exponentially with gestational age, especially in the third trimester, due to fetal development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a daily intake of DHA is recommended during pregnancy. Omega-3 PUFAs are involved in several anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving and anti-oxidative pathways. Several placental disorders, such as intrauterine growth restriction, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm-PROM (pPROM), are associated with placental inflammation and oxidative stress. This pilot study reports on a preliminary evaluation of the significance of the daily DHA administration on PROM and pPROM events in healthy pregnant women. Further extensive clinical trials will be necessary to fully elucidate the correlation between DHA administration during pregnancy and PROM/pPROM occurrence, which is related in turn to gestational duration and overall fetal health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland