A study of more than 800 infants found those whose mothers took Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) supplements while pregnant had fewer colds and shorter illnesses at 1, 3 and 6 months of age.
In the double-blind study, "Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial," published in the September 2011 issue of Pediatrics (published online Aug. 1), pregnant women in Mexico were supplemented daily with 400 mg of DHA or placebo from 18 to 22 weeks gestation through childbirth.
At age 1 month, the infants in the DHA group experienced shorter duration of cough, phlegm and wheezing, though they had a longer duration of rash. At age 3 months, the infants in the DHA group spent 14 percent less time ill. At 6 months of age, infants in the DHA group experienced shorter fever, nasal secretion, difficulty breathing and rash, though longer duration of vomiting.
Overall, authors determined infants in the DHA group were healthier.
