Nutrients, Vol. 17, Pages 3931: Dietary Patterns of Docosahexaenoic Acid Intake and Supplementation from Pregnancy Through Childhood with a Focus on Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review of Implications for Child Health
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu17243931
Authors:
Brenda Valle-Valdez
Xochitl Terrazas-Lopez
Alejandra Gonzalez-Rocha
Humberto Astiazaran-Garcia
Brianda Armenta-Guirado
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid essential for neurodevelopment, immune regulation, and key physiological functions during early life. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), limited access to DHA-rich foods contributes to disparities in intake and health outcomes. This narrative review describes the current evidence on dietary patterns of DHA intake and supplementation from pregnancy through childhood in LMICs and highlights the implications of these patterns for child health. The review is based on a systematic search conducted in PubMed using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms related to DHA, dietary patterns, health outcomes, and LMICs. Studies published between 2014 and 2025 were screened using Covidence software. Eligible studies included observational, interventional, and review designs that reported DHA through dietary intake, supplementation, or measurement in biological samples during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, or childhood. Data extraction followed the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design) framework. A total of 76 studies were included. Across LMICs, DHA intake was consistently insufficient among pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children. Reported dietary sources were generally low in DHA content. Intake or supplementation was associated with neurodevelopment, immune response, pregnancy outcomes, and cardiometabolic health, although findings were sometimes mixed or modified by gene–environment interactions. Results varied by study design, contextual factors, income level, and geographic access. Large gaps remain in nationally representative intake data. Despite its physiological relevance, DHA intake remains inadequate in LMICs during early life. This review underscores the importance of improving DHA intake in vulnerable populations and identifies evidence gaps to guide future research and inform context-specific nutrition strategies.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid essential for neurodevelopment, immune regulation, and key physiological functions during early life. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), limited access to DHA-rich foods contributes to disparities in intake and health outcomes. This narrative review describes the current evidence on dietary patterns of DHA intake and supplementation from pregnancy through childhood in LMICs and highlights the implications of these patterns for child health. The review is based on a systematic search conducted in PubMed using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms related to DHA, dietary patterns, health outcomes, and LMICs. Studies published between 2014 and 2025 were screened using Covidence software. Eligible studies included observational, interventional, and review designs that reported DHA through dietary intake, supplementation, or measurement in biological samples during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, or childhood. Data extraction followed the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design) framework. A total of 76 studies were included. Across LMICs, DHA intake was consistently insufficient among pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children. Reported dietary sources were generally low in DHA content. Intake or supplementation was associated with neurodevelopment, immune response, pregnancy outcomes, and cardiometabolic health, although findings were sometimes mixed or modified by gene–environment interactions. Results varied by study design, contextual factors, income level, and geographic access. Large gaps remain in nationally representative intake data. Despite its physiological relevance, DHA intake remains inadequate in LMICs during early life. This review underscores the importance of improving DHA intake in vulnerable populations and identifies evidence gaps to guide future research and inform context-specific nutrition strategies. Read More