Fat Intake and Fat Quality in Pregnant and Lactating Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents and Related Health Outcomes: A Scoping Review of Systematic Reviews of Prospective Studies

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Dietary fat intake during pregnancy and childhood is important for health. However, several health aspects are inconclusive. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We systematically searched Medline, Cochrane Library, and Epistemonikos for systematic reviews (SRs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or prospective cohort studies published from January 01, 2015, to December 31, 2019, assessing the association of dietary fat intake (including dietary supplements) during pregnancy and across childhood with pregnancy, perinatal, and child health outcomes. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Thirty-one SRs, mainly of RCTs, were included. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk of early preterm birth, and in some SRs also any preterm birth, increased gestation length and birth weight, but mostly was not associated with other pregnancy/perinatal outcomes. Pre- and postnatal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intake was not consistently associated with growth, neurological, visual and cognitive outcomes, allergic diseases, cardiovascular, and metabolic health in childhood. Reduced saturated fatty acids (SFAs) intake and its replacement with PUFA/monounsaturated fatty acids had favourable effects on blood pressure and blood lipids in children. No apparent effects of total or trans fat on health outcomes across target groups were observed. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Omega-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and SFA intake reduction in childhood require further consideration in dietary recommendations targeting these populations.

Creation of a novel zebrafish model with low DHA status to study the role of maternal nutrition during neurodevelopment

“…By transitioning mothers from DEF to a DHA-supplemented diet, we can also test whether maternal DHA supplementation rescues the offspring phenotype. Given that pregnant and lactating women are advised to supplement with DHA to support fetal and infant growth and development (75), these experiments have excellent translational potential.…”

Current Guidelines on Fat Intake in Pregnant and Lactating Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

“…Those mentioning supplementation either did not specify amounts [14] or referred to "women of low omega-3 FAs status" [24], raising questions on strategies to identify these. Importantly, recent systematic evidence summaries indicated that omega-3 FA supplementation during pregnancy is effective in reducing the risk of preterm birth [40,41]. In light of this evidence, future guideline developers may revisit current approach to omega-3 FA intake in prenatal period.…”

“…Nearly, all guidelines identified by us that targeted infants and children also provided recommendations regarding PUFA intake, overall promoting consumption of foods rich in these FAs, as such in infancy, and as a substitute for SFA in later childhood. While clearly PUFA deficiency has detrimental health effects, the evidence for beneficial effects of higher versus lower dietary intake of PUFA or its supplementation, in particular during infancy, and in relation to various health outcomes (e.g., growth, neurological, visual, and cognitive outcomes, allergic diseases, or cardiovascular health) is mainly inconsistent [41]. Guidelines for children >2 years of age consistently focused on the avoidance of SFA and TFA intake, apparently reflecting the goal of reducing CVD risk in adulthood [9,44].…”

“…Guidelines for children >2 years of age consistently focused on the avoidance of SFA and TFA intake, apparently reflecting the goal of reducing CVD risk in adulthood [9,44]. These recommendations seem understandable given proven beneficial effects of SFA intake reduction in childhood in relation to cardiovascular outcomes as shown in recent SRs [41,44].…”