Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy and Neurodevelopment in Childhood—A Randomized Clinical Trial

A double‐blind randomized controlled trial of n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 LCPUFA) supplementation or matching placebo during third trimester of pregnancy was conducted within the COPSAC 2010 mother‐child cohort consisting of 736 women and their children. The objective was to determine if maternal n‐3 LCPUFA pregnancy supplementation affects offspring neurodevelopment until 6 years. Neurodevelopment was evaluated in 654 children assessing age of motor milestone achievement, language development, cognitive development, general neurodevelopment, and emotional and behavioral problems. Maternal n‐3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy improved early language development and reduced the impact of emotional and behavioral problems. The n‐3 LCPUFA supplementation was in boys associated with the earlier achievement of gross motor milestones, improved cognitive development, and a reduced impact of emotional and behavioral problems.