Maternal Omega-3 Supplementation During Pregnancy, but Not Childhood Supplementation, Reduces the Risk of Food Allergy Diseases in Offspring

To determine the optimal timing (maternal versus childhood intake) of omega-3 supplementation for reducing food allergy risk among children.The study included a meta-analysis of 12 randomized control trials, consisting of a total of 3274 mother-infant pairs. These studies were published between 2003 and 2018 and were conducted in various countries. The inclusion criteria included omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or infancy. Outcomes for offspring were followed for a range of 6 months to 6 years.The systematic review included a literature search across multiple databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) and included randomized controlled trials on pregnant women and their offspring, involving omega-3 supplementation. Data extraction focused on study characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes related to food allergies and food sensitization (positive reaction in the skin prick test). The authors conducted dose-response and subgroup analyses to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation.Maternal omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy and lactation was significantly associated with decreased risk of infant egg and peanut sensitization. Postnatal (infant) supplementation did not show a decreased incidence of food allergy. When analyzing subgroups, it was found that maternal omega-3 supplementation may reduce the risks of food allergy, egg sensitization, and peanut sensitization during the first 3 years of life, and peanut sensitization and cashew nut sensitization beyond the age of 3 years. Dose-response analysis showed a linear relationship between maternal omega-3 supplementation and infant egg sensitization.Maternal omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy and lactation reduces the risk of infant food allergy and food sensitization, whereas childhood intake has not proven to be beneficial.With the prevalence of food allergy rising, prevention of food allergy is increasingly becoming a public health priority. Although significant strides have been made toward early introduction of allergenic foods and proactive food allergen immunotherapy, this study highlights the role of maternal omega-3 supplementation in primary prevention of food allergy and sensitization. As this study differentiates that maternal supplementation and not childhood supplementation is beneficial, these findings may be helpful in early counseling of expecting parents.