Acceptability and side effects of omega 3 in pregnant women with deficient intake

Authors

  • Indalecio Gustavo Martinez Velasco Hospital Comunitario de Tecomatlán, Servicios de Salud del Estado de Puebla. Puebla, México
  • Roman Jimenez Lopez Renacimiento General Hospital, IMSS-Bienestar Hospital, Guerrero, México
  • Maria Fernanda Gallego Mora Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Educación Perinatal, Departamento de Nutrición Perinatal, Chapulco, Puebla, México
  • Oliver Arciniega Mancilla Renacimiento General Hospital, IMSS-Bienestar Hospital, Guerrero, México
  • Diana Isabel Castro Luna Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Educación Perinatal, Departamento de Nutrición Perinatal, Chapulco, Puebla, México https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9299-5376
  • Deny Guadalupe Gonzalez Guzmán Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Educación Perinatal, Departamento de Nutrición Perinatal, Chapulco, Puebla, México https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5103-354X
  • Esmeralda Galarza de la Cruz Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Educación Perinatal, Departamento de Nutrición Perinatal, Chapulco, Puebla, México https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5422-4886

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36105/psrua.2024v4n8.03

Keywords:

Preterm Birth, Omega-3, Pregnancy, Food Frequency Questionnaire, fish, Docosahexaenoic acid

Abstract

Introduction: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are essential during pregnancy due to their benefits for maternal health and fetal development. In pregnant women with omega-3 deficiency, assessing tolerability, acceptability, and potential side effects is crucial to optimize treatment adherence. Objective: To determine the tolerability and the main side effects in a group of pregnant women with inadequate fish intake in a rural community. Materials and methods: A nutritional survey was conducted in a group of pregnant women attending their prenatal check-ups at a private Gyneco-obstetric institution to investigate the need for omega-3 supplementation through a simplified questionnaire in a population of pregnant women. Two capsules containing 760 mg of EPA and 520 mg of DHA were prescribed from 20 weeks onward. The presence of side effects and adherence to the prescription were documented. Results: A tolerability rate of 100.0% was found. Side effects included nausea 19.2%, belching 4.6%, fishy breath 2.3%, vomiting 1.5%, and no cases of allergic reaction. No patient discontinued supplementation. Conclusions: The side effects of omega-3 PUFAs in this study were very low, resulting in excellent treatment adherence.

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Vol. 4 Núm. 8

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Published

2024-12-20

How to Cite

Martinez Velasco, I. G., Jimenez Lopez, R., Gallego Mora, M. F., Arciniega Mancilla, O., Castro Luna, D. I., Gonzalez Guzmán, D. G., & Galarza de la Cruz, E. (2024). Acceptability and side effects of omega 3 in pregnant women with deficient intake. Proceedings of Scientific Research Universidad Anáhuac. Multidisciplinary Journal of Healthcare, 4(8), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.36105/psrua.2024v4n8.03