Determining the Effect of Maternal Omega-3 Supplementation during Lactation on Growth and Development of Infants

Development during childhood is vital for learning skills. Maternal omega-3fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation play important role in childhood development. The aim of this study is to determine omega-3 supplementation during lactation on the growth and development of infants.
This is a double-blind randomized trial. A total of 70 lactating women and their infants 15 days after delivery were selected. They were randomly divided into intervention and placebo groups. The intervention group received 1 gram omega-3 capsules daily and placebo group paraffin capsules for 3 months. Development of infants was assessed by using ASQ and growth by measuring weight, length and head circumference.
The main score of communication, fine motor and problem solving in the intervention group after 3 months supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids were higher in the intervention group than placebo. There were no differences in gross motor and social development between two groups.
In this study positive effect of omega-3 e on problem solving and social development were found. There were no differences in growth between two groups except head circumference.