Vitamins With DHA Compared to Pregnant Women, Research Paper Example

A study by Makrides et.al (2010) addresses the significance of DHA as a possible alleviating factor for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in improving neurological and developmental outcomes for unborn children. This was a double-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial and took place in five hospitals in Australia (Makrides et.al, 2010). The study was performed in order to identify whether or not pregnant women and their unborn children would experience improve functioning as a result of DHA in the diet, without posing any risk or harm to mother and child (Makrides et.al, 2010). The need for the study was evident in that improving neurodevelopment in children and alleviating depressive symptoms are essential to a healthy pregnancy and birth.

The sample size was 2,399 women who were evaluated between 2005 and 2008, and 726 children were evaluated via follow up in 2009 (Makrides et.al, 2010). The independent variable is the use of DHA during the second half of pregnancy, and the dependent variable is twofold: whether or not depressive symptoms in the mother are minimized, and whether or not the child’s neurodevelopmental growth are impacted (Makrides et.al, 2010). Measurements were indicated by scoring on the Ediburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, both of which are valid and reliable scales (Makrides et.al, 2010). These measures are well-established in clinical research and are therefore, reliable for use.

Data analysis took place using intention-to-treat, sensitivity analyses, linear regression, log binomial regression, log-rank tests, and generalized estimating equations to determine results and efficacy of the intervention (Makrides et.al, 2010). A higher number of women experienced side effects including eructations with the use of DHA, and children in the DHA group experienced fewer adverse events than those in the control group, including fewer NICU admissions in the DHA group (Makrides et.al, 2010). The study results indicate that DHA in fish oil form did not have any real impact on depressive symptoms for pregnant women or on neurodevelopmental outcomes for children (Makrides et.al, 2010). This study supports prior evidence which indicates that DHA has a positive influence on pregnant women and the neurodevelopmental effects that take place in their unborn children. This research indicates that the use of DHA may have positive impacts for pregnant women and their children, but the manner in which DHA is administered may impact outcomes, such as a positive impact of DHA in cord blood on child development; therefore, it should be considered as part of the prenatal treatment plan  (Escolano-Margarit et.al, 2011).

References

Escolano-Margarit, M. V., Ramos, R., Beyer, J., Csábi, G., Parrilla-Roure, M., Cruz, F., … & Campoy, C. (2011). Prenatal DHA status and neurological outcome in children at age 5.5 years are positively associated. The Journal of nutrition, 141(6), 1216-1223.

Makrides, M., Gibson, R. A., McPhee, A. J., Yelland, L., Quinlivan, J., & Ryan, P. (2010). Effect of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on maternal depression and neurodevelopment of young children: a randomized controlled trial. Jama, 304(15), 1675-1683.