Effects of omega-3 fatty acids in prevention of early preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies

European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
Sumit KarShakila Thangaratinam

Abstract

Preterm birth continues to be the one of the leading causes of infant deaths worldwide. There is a need for effective, easily available, safe and acceptable interventions to prevent preterm delivery, especially before 34 weeks of gestation. Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are available as over the counter nutritional supplements, and are taken by women to improve pregnancy outcomes, without any clear recommendations. We undertook a systematic review to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on early (<34 weeks) and any (<37 weeks) preterm delivery. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from inception to 2014 without any language restrictions. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers. Results were summarized as relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences for continuous outcomes. Of the nine included trials (5980 women), six (4193 women) evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on early preterm delivery. The risk of early preterm delivery was reduced by 58% (RR 0.42; 95% CI 0.27-0.66; I(2)=0%; p=0.0002) and any preterm delivery by 17% (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.98;...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 9, 2016·Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids·T I ShiremanS E Carlson
May 28, 2017·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·Spencer G KuperAlan T Tita
Nov 28, 2018·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Philippa MiddletonMaria Makrides
Jan 21, 2020·Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health·Nancy A Niemczyk, Caroline Osborne
Mar 13, 2020·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·Maurizio BruschiGiovanni Candiano
Jan 12, 2020·Nutrition Reviews·Benjamin Brown, Ciara Wright
Feb 15, 2017·BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·Susan E CarlsonCatalin S Buhimschi
Sep 12, 2019·The New England Journal of Medicine·Maria MakridesRobert Gibson
Dec 15, 2017·Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology·Stephanie L Smith, Christopher A Rouse
Jan 28, 2020·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·Karolina KwasekMichael Phillips
Feb 6, 2017·International Breastfeeding Journal·Brian A JuberMichelle L Baack
Aug 23, 2019·Annual Review of Nutrition·Berthold KoletzkoHans Demmelmair
Feb 12, 2017·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Harry B RiceAdam Ismail
Dec 7, 2017·Journal of Nutritional Science·Graham C BurdgeChristiani Jeyakumar Henry
Feb 12, 2017·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Benjamin B AlbertWayne S Cutfield
Oct 24, 2020·PloS One·Erin G SleyKelly K Ferguson
Dec 12, 2020·Food & Function·Luciana BaroniMaurizio Battino
Jan 13, 2021·Maternal and Child Health Journal·Michelle P JudgeColleen Delaney
Jan 15, 2020·Deutsches Ärzteblatt International·Richard BergerHolger Maul
Feb 17, 2021·The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research·Yoko NagayasuMasahide Ohmichi

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