Effects of Prenatal DHA Dose on Infant Visual Attention

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #docosahexaenoic-acids #attention #female #infant

Effects of Prenatal DHA Dose on Infant Visual Attention

Colombo et al., 2025 | Dev Psychobiol | Rct

Citation

Colombo John, Shaddy D Jill, ... Gustafson Kathleen M. Effects of Prenatal DHA Dose on Infant Visual Attention. Dev Psychobiol. 2025-Sep;67(5):e70072. doi:10.1002/dev.70072

Abstract

Prenatal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to improve cognitive outcomes in infancy and early childhood in some studies. Existent studies have examined the effects of some dose of DHA against a true placebo; this report is the first to describe the effects of different doses of prenatal DHA on infant visual attention at 4 and 6 months of age. In a follow-up to a Phase III registered clinical trial (NCT02709239) designed to evaluate the effects of two prenatal doses of DHA supplementation (200 or 800 mg daily) on maternal physiology and fetal neurodevelopment, we assessed 215 infants delivered to these mothers at 4 and 6 months on a visual habituation task augmented with heart rate (HR) to assess visual stimulus processing, and a gap-overlap task to assess engagement and disengagement of attention. Infants of mothers supplemented with 800 mg/day of DHA had shorter look durations (indicative of more rapid visual learning) during habituation at both ages and a somewhat more mature pattern of HR-defined phases of attention. However, DHA dose did not affect infant HR, nor did it affect infant performance in the gap-overlap attention task. Results are consistent with positive effects of prenatal DHA supplementation on later outcomes, with higher benefit seen for a higher dose.

Key Findings

Results are consistent with positive effects of prenatal DHA supplementation on later outcomes, with higher benefit seen for a higher dose.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Attention
  • Female
  • Infant
  • Pregnancy
  • Male
  • Visual Perception
  • Adult
  • Child Development
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Vertical: omega-3-adhd

Provenance

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