Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids & Fetus Development

EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids. They could only be obtained from diet. Fatty acids are major components of brain tissue. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA, are among the most important fatty acids which are incorporated into the brain and retina, in particular the nerve membranes.[1]

The most dramatic development of the nervous system occurs prenatally and early postnatally. Mothers are the sole source of nutrients for the fetus during development. Without adequate nutritional replenishment, mothers could be depleted of critical nutrients with adverse consequences for both mother and infant. Maternal and neonatal concentrations of DHA are associated with improved outcomes in early infancy, and favorable neurodevelopmental outcome and improved intelligence scores beyond early infancy.[2]