N D’Vaz, JA Dunstan, MK Tulic, T Mori, SL Prescott
University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Background: Epidemiologic studies suggest that the consumption of oily fish may protect against allergic disease, and this is further supported by the anti- inflammatory properties of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from a subgroup of 115 children enrolled in a randomised control trial in which 420 children received either DHA enriched fish oil (280mg DHA per day) or a placebo (an equivalent capsule of oleic acid) from birth to 6 months of age. The occurrence of symptoms of eczema, wheezing and recurrent cough by the end of the supplementation period were assessed in relationship to PUFA levels in red cell membranes.

Results: After supplementation from birth, children who had received fish oil (n=55) had significantly higher levels of 22:6 n-3 DHA (p=0.011) and significantly lower 20:4n-6 AA (p=0.001) than the placebo group (n=60). In this subgroup with fatty acids levels measured, there was no difference in the development of symptoms between the groups. However, higher levels of total n-3 PUFA at 6 months were associated with reduced risk of persistent respiratory symptoms such as persistent and recurrent coughing (OR= 0.75; 95%CI 0.57-0.97; p=0.029). In contrast, higher levels of total n-6 PUFA were associated with an increased risk of developing symptoms of eczema (OR= 1.13; 95%CI 1.01-1.26; p=0.037) at 6 months.

Conclusion: Variations in n-3 and n-6 fatty acids levels at 6 months are associated with altered risk of cutaneous and respiratory symptoms. These effects were independent of postnatal supplementation, suggesting that maternal sources of PUFA in pregnancy and breast milk could be more important for determining infant PUFA status and risk of symptoms.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis, cough and wheeze, PUFA, breast milk
Schlüsselwörter: Neurodermitis und Atemwegsprobleme, Omega-3 PUFA, Brustmilch