Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#dietary-supplements #fatty-acids-omega-3 #female #humans #pregnancy

Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Saccone et al., 2015 | Obstet Gynecol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Saccone Gabriele, Berghella Vincenzo. Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 2015-Mar;125(3):663-672. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000668

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 in reducing the incidence of preterm birth. DATA SOURCES: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, OVID, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with the use of a combination of keywords related to "fish oil," "pregnancy," and "omega-3." METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We included all randomized controlled trials of asymptomatic women with singleton gestations who were randomized to prophylactic treatment with either omega-3 supplementation or control (either placebo or no treatment). Exclusion criteria included trials in women with multiple gestations, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational hypertension or preeclampsia at randomization, prior preterm birth, and trials with polyunsaturated fatty acids as control. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Nine randomized trials including 3,854 eligible women were identified. Women who received omega-3 had a similar rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation compared with women in the control group (7.7% compared with 9.1%, respectively; relative risk 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-1.11). There were no significant differences in birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, or perinatal death in the omega-3 compared with control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the subgroup analyses, except for the rate of perinatal death, which was lower (0.3% compared with 1.2%; relative risk 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.80) in the women who received omega-3 before 21 weeks of gestation and in trials with low risk of bias (0.3% compared with 1.0%; relative risk 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.89) compared with women in the control group. However, in no randomized controlled trial was perinatal death the primary outcome. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy does not reduce the incidence of preterm birth or improve neonatal outcome.

Key Findings

Nine randomized trials including 3,854 eligible women were identified. Women who received omega-3 had a similar rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation compared with women in the control group (7.7% compared with 9.1%, respectively; relative risk 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-1.11). There were no significant differences in birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, or perinatal death in the omega-3 compared with control groups, r

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: omega-3-pregnancy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09