Increased intake of oily fish in pregnancy: effects on neonatal immune responses and on clinical outcomes in infants at 6 months

Noakes, P.S., Vlachava, M., Kremmyda, L.S., Diaper, N.D., Miles, E.A., Erlewyn-Lajeunesse, M., Williams, A.P., Godfrey, K.M. and Calder, P.C. (2012) Increased intake of oily fish in pregnancy: effects on neonatal immune responses and on clinical outcomes in infants at 6 months. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95 (2), 395-404. (doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.022954). (PMID:22218160)

Abstract

Background: Long-chain n?3 PUFAs found in oily fish may have a role in lowering the risk of allergic disease.

Objective: The objective was to assess whether an increased intake of oily fish in pregnancy modifies neonatal immune responses and early markers of atopy.

Design: Women (n = 123) were randomly assigned to continue their habitual diet, which was low in oily fish, or to consume 2 portions of salmon per week (providing 3.45 g EPA plus DHA) from 20 wk gestation until delivery. In umbilical cord blood samples (n = 101), we measured n?3 fatty acids, IgE concentrations, and immunologic responses. Infants were clinically evaluated at age 6 mo (n = 86).

Results: Cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-? in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and of IL-2 in response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen 1 (Derp1) was lower in the salmon group (all P ? 0.03). In the subgroup of CBMCs in which an allergic phenotype was confirmed in the mother or father, IL-10 production in response to Toll-like receptor 2, 3, and 4 agonists, ovalbumin, salmon parvalbumin, or Derp1 and prostaglandin E2 production in response to lipopolysaccharide or PHA was lower in the salmon group (all P ? 0.045). Total IgE at birth and total IgE, incidence and severity of atopic dermatitis, and skin-prick-test positivity at 6 mo of age were not different between the 2 groups.

Conclusion: Oily fish intervention in pregnancy modifies neonatal immune responses but may not affect markers of infant atopy assessed at 6 mo of age.

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Contributors

Author: E.A. Miles

Author: K.M. Godfrey

Author: P.C. Calder

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