Omega-3 index of 5 greatly decreases the risk of an early preterm birth – Dec 2018

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A Prenatal DHA Test to Help Identify Women at Increased Risk for Early Preterm Birth: A Proposal

Nutrients 2018, 10(12), 1933; doi:10.3390/nu10121933
Kristina H. Jackson * and William S. HarrisOrcID
OmegaQuant, LLC, 5009 W. 12th St., Suite 8, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA

 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

Fish intake and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a nutrient found in fish, have been favorably linked to several pregnancy outcomes. The risk of early preterm birth (ePT, <34 weeks gestation) is associated with low fish intake and DHA blood levels and can be reduced by supplemental DHA. Here, we summarize the evidence linking blood DHA levels with risk for ePT birth, and based on the available studies, propose that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant aim for a red blood cell (RBC) DHA value of at least 5% (of total RBC fatty acids). In the US, ~70% of women of childbearing age are likely below this cut-point, and dietary intake data suggest that this group, including pregnant women, consumes ~60 mg/day DHA and that >90% of this group do not take an omega-3 supplement. Since the recommendations for women to consume fish and to take a 200 mg DHA supplement during pregnancy are not being heeded generally, there is a need to motivate practitioners and pregnant women to attend to these recommendations. Having an objective prenatal blood DHA test could provide such motivation. More research is needed to test the clinical utility of this proposed target prenatal DHA level.

PDF Table of contents

Relationship between Maternal DHA Levels and Preterm Birth
Is an RBC DHA of >5% a Reasonable Target?
Are There Risks Associated with an RBC DHA >5% in Pregnancy?
How Might a Target RBC DHA Level Be Used in Obstetric Practice?
Why Not Just Recommend Higher DHA Intake to Everyone and Not Test?
Possible Mechanisms for a DHA Effect on Early Preterm Birth

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44 pages listed in BOTH the categories Omega-3 and Pregnancy

This list is automatically updated

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Vitamin D reduces preterm pregnancy costs

Pregnancy category starts with

923 items in Pregnancy category

 - see also

• Overview Pregnancy and vitamin D
• Number of articles in both categories of Pregnancy and:Dark Skin 30;   Depression 21;   Diabetes 44;   Obesity 17;  Hypertension 44;   Breathing 36;  Omega-3 44;  Vitamin D Receptor 24 Click here for details
• All items in category Infant/Child 854 items
• Pregnancy needs at least 40 ng of vitamin D, achieved by at least 4,000 IU – Hollis Aug 2017
• 38+ papers with Breastfed etc, in the title
• Call to action – more Vitamin D for pregnancies, loading doses are OK – Holick Aug 2019
• 53+ preeclampsia studies
• 94+ studies with PRETERM in the title
• Fertility problem (PCOS) reduced by vitamin D, etc: many studies 15+
• 94+ Gestational Diabetes
• Caesarean birth much more likely if low Vitamin D - many studies 15+ studies
• Post-partum depression and low Vitamin D - many studies 15+ studies
• Stillbirth reduced by Vitamin D, Zinc, Omega-3 - several studies 5+ studies
• Search VitaminDWiki for "Assisted reproduction" 33 items as of Aug 2022
• Fertility and Sperm category listing has 142 items along with related searches
• (Stunting OR “low birth weight” OR LBW) 1180 items as of June 2020
• Less labor pain if higher level of vitamin D – August 2021
• Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D
• Ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby - take Vitamin D before conception
  

Healthy pregnancies need lots of vitamin D has the following summary
Most were taking 2,000 to 7,000 IU daily for >50% of pregnancy
   Click on hyperlinks for details

Problem	Vit. D Reduces	Evidence
0. Chance of not conceiving	3.4 times	Observe
1. Miscarriage	2.5 times	Observe
2. Pre-eclampsia	3.6 times	RCT
3. Gestational Diabetes	3 times	RCT
4. Good 2nd trimester sleep quality	3.5 times	Observe
5. Premature birth	2 times	RCT
6. C-section - unplanned	1.6 times	Observe
Stillbirth - OMEGA-3	4 times	RCT - Omega-3
7. Depression AFTER pregnancy	1.4 times	RCT
8. Small for Gestational Age	1.6 times	meta-analysis
9. Infant height, weight, head size      within normal limits		RCT
10. Childhood Wheezing	1.3 times	RCT
11. Additional child is Autistic	4 times	Intervention
12.Young adult Multiple Sclerosis	1.9 times	Observe
13. Preeclampsia in young adult	3.5 times	RCT
14. Good motor skills @ age 3	1.4 times	Observe
15. Childhood Mite allergy	5 times	RCT
16. Childhood Respiratory Tract visits	2.5 times	RCT

RCT = Randomized Controlled Trial

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Preterm births are VERY costly – Feb 2017 cost-analysis of Vitamin D and Omega-3

Assumptions: additional $50,000 per premature birth, $100 for education & supplements per pregnancy

	Net savings per birth After subtract all costs	# needed to eliminate 1 preterm	Cost of educ, supp per pregnancy	Total cost Educ/supp.	Cost of test per pregnancy	Total test costs	Net savings after subtract costs
Vitamin D (5,000 IU avg)	$4,300	20	$100	$2,000	$200%%%(2 tests)	$4,000	$43,000
Omega-3	$646	67	$100	$6,700	$0	$0	$43,300
Vitamin C reduces early rupture	$646	67	$100	$6,700	$0	$0	$43,300
Iodine	$320	100	$100	$10,000	$80	$8,000	$32,000

Does not include additional savings to infant beyond the first year
   such as reductions in Autism, MS, Respiratory Tract Infection, Asthma, Allergies
Does not include additional savings to mother
   such as reduction in preeclampsia, miscarriage, gestational diabetes, depression
   nor does it assign any costs for anguish of possible premie death, stillbirth, time off from work, job productivity