Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy--baseline omega-3 status and early preterm birth: exploratory analysis of a randomised controlled trial

usc Objective: To identify a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biomarker able to detect which women with singleton pregnancies are most likely to benefit from omega-3 supplementation to reduce their risk of early preterm birth. Design: Exploratory analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Setting: Six Australian hospitals. Population: Women with a singleton pregnancy enrolled in the ORIP trial. Methods: Using maternal capillary whole blood collected ~14 weeks’ gestation, the fatty acids in total blood lipids were quantified using gas chromatography. Interaction tests examined whether baseline PUFA status modified the effect of omega-3 supplementation on birth outcomes. Main outcome measure: Early preterm birth (