Are There Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Milk with Supplementation of Omega-3 Sources? A Systematic Review

• Published in: Revista Brasileira de ginecologia e obstetrícia Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 128 - 141
• Main Authors: Amaral, Yasmin Notarbartolo di Villarosa do, Marano, Daniele, Silva, Leila Maria Lopes da, Guimarães, Aline Carnevale Lia Dias, Moreira, Maria Elisabeth Lopes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Thieme-Revinter Publicações Ltda 01-03-2017; Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
• Subjects: breastfeeding; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids - analysis; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Female; human milk; Humans; Milk, Human - chemistry; OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY; omega-3 fatty acids; pregnant women; Systematic Review; ácidos graxos ômega-3; pregnant women; revisão sistemática; aleitamento materno; leite humano; human milk; omega-3 fatty acids; breastfeeding; systematic review; gestantes
• ISSN: 0100-7203; 1806-9339; 1806-9339
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599094

To evaluate the effect of supplementation with omega-3 sources on the fatty acid composition of human milk.
 The review consisted of the search for articles published in PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (Virtual Health Library[VHL]) and Web of Science databases using the following keywords:
,
,
and
; for this purpose, we have used the program of research to integrate the services for the maintenance of autonomy (PRISMA) checklist. The following selection criteria were used: articles in English, Portuguese, Spanish or Italian, published between 2000 and 2015, and about studies performed in humans. We found 710 articles that met the established criteria; however, only 22 of them were selected to be part of this study.
 All studies found a positive relationship between the consumption of omega-3 sources and their concentration in human milk. The differences in the findings are due to the distinct methods used, such as the specific time of the omega-3 supplementation, the type of omega-3 source offered, as well as the sample size.
 Although the studies were different in several methodological aspects, it was possible to observe the importance of omega-3 supplementation during gestation and/or the puerperium.