Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Twelve Months: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22343522Keywords:
docosahexaenoic acid, maternal supplementation, infant neurodevelopment, pregnancy nutrition, visual acuityAbstract
Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates rapidly in the fetal and infant brain and retina, and maternal intake
during pregnancy and lactation is often below recommended levels. Objective: To synthesise published evidence on maternal DHA
supplementation and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes around twelve months. Methods: Narrative review of randomised
trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and mechanistic studies identified through PubMed and Cochrane Library searches.
Findings: Trials show consistent improvements in visual acuity and modest, inconsistent gains in cognitive and psychomotor
scores, moderated by dose, timing, and baseline status. Conclusions: Maternal DHA supplementation supports visual maturation,
but cognitive benefits at twelve months remain heterogeneous across trials.
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