The FAB study – testing an omega-3 oil supplement to prevent preterm birth
Research institute:
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London
Project dates:
Grant Awarded: 30 Sep 2020
Funding awarded:
Grant Amount: £291,200 per year for three years.
Previous research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent preterm birth, but clinical trials of supplements have had mixed results. The FAB study is testing the benefits of a particular supplement in a group of women in India with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. The evidence generated could change global food and health policy, preventing preterm births and improving the health of mothers and babies worldwide.
The challenge
Around 15 million babies across the world are born prematurely each year, which is a major cause of death and disability in children globally. We need to find ways to prevent preterm birth that can be used anywhere in the world, to stop more babies from being born too soon.
The project
Omega-3 fatty acids, like the ones found in ‘fish oil capsules’, have many health benefits. Previous research has suggested that dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce a pregnant mother’s risk of having a preterm birth. One type in particular – docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA – has been shown to have additional long-term health benefits for both the mother and baby.
But early clinical trials of omega-3 supplements have had mixed results, with some showing no effect on preterm birth rates. It is possible that only women with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood may benefit from supplements. This suggests that the women receiving these supplements should be carefully selected.
In the ‘Fatty Acids and preterm Birth’ study (the FAB study), an international team led by Profs Mark Johnson and Gurpreet Wander will look at whether DHA supplements can reduce preterm birth rates amongst pregnant mothers with low DHA levels.
The FAB study is taking place in Punjab in India, a region where preterm birth rates are high (24%, compared to 8% in the UK). Many people in this region are also thought to have low omega-3 levels in their blood.
The team in India aim to recruit 1,500 first-time pregnant mothers with low levels of DHA, based upon a blood test in early pregnancy. Half of the women are randomly selected to receive DHA supplements and half are given a placebo control without DHA.
The primary goal of the FAB study is to test whether DHA can reduce preterm births and other pregnancy complications. In addition, the study is looking at what effect DHA has on the brains of both mothers and babies, using MRI scans. The team will also investigate whether DHA can reduce mental health problems in mothers, and what effects DHA has on the behaviour and brain development of the babies up to two years of age.
What difference will this project make?
Preterm birth has many causes, and we need to find ways to counteract them all. Previous research has led to suggestions that dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids could reduce pre-term birth rates in a sub-set of women.
The FAB study will determine whether a specific omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, can reduce preterm birth rates among pregnant mothers with low levels of DHA in their blood. The study will also look at other health benefits of DHA supplementation, including on the mental health of the mothers, and the brain and behavioural development of their children.
The evidence generated by the FAB study may inform food policies worldwide, and has the potential to reduce preterm birth and dramatically improve the health of mothers and babies.
