ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4795-5141
Current Organisations
Flinders University
,
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-11-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12937-019-0499-2
Abstract: Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under five. A recent Cochrane review found a 42% reduction in early preterm birth ( 34 weeks’ gestation) and 11% reduction in preterm birth ( 37 weeks’ gestation) with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. To assist in the development of implementation strategies to increase pregnant women’s omega-3 fatty acid intake, we assessed the awareness of Australian pregnant women about preterm birth, their nutrition and supplementation behaviours during pregnancy, and intentions to increase omega-3 fatty acid intake. A ten-minute survey was conducted online to assess the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and intentions of Australian pregnant women across three domains: (1) preterm birth (2) nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy and (3) omega-3 fatty acid consumption to prevent preterm birth. Participants were recruited from Survey S ling International’s research panels. Of the 763 women who completed the survey, less than two-thirds had heard of preterm birth. Over 55% of respondents had changed their diet during pregnancy and a prenatal dietary supplement was consumed by 82% of the women surveyed. Respondents’ main source of information about preterm birth and nutrition during pregnancy was from a health professional. When asked about their intentions to increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake following a health professional’s recommendation, the vast majority of participants indicated they would increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake (90%). When a hypothetical scenario was presented of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement being offered from a health service at no cost, the number of respondents who selected they would increase their intake through supplementation increased from 54 to 79%. The main information source for women about preterm birth and dietary supplementation recommendations during pregnancy is their health professional. Therefore, informing women about ways to prevent preterm birth, including the role of omega-3 fatty acids, should occur during antenatal visits. The results from our study are useful for clinicians caring for pregnant women and for the next stage of translation of the Cochrane review findings – the design of implementation strategies to increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy where needed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
Abstract: The visual and mental development of preterm infants improved after feeding them milk enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in amounts matching the fetal accretion rate. The objective was to evaluate whether feeding preterm infants milk with a higher DHA content than that used in current practice influences language or behavior in early childhood. This was a follow-up study in a subgroup of infants enrolled in the DINO (Docosahexaenoic acid for the Improvement in Neurodevelopmental Outcome) trial. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, infants born at <33 wk of gestation were fed milk containing 1% of total fatty acids as DHA (higher-DHA group) or approximately 0.3% DHA (control group) until reaching full-term equivalent age. The longer-term effects of the intervention on language, behavior, and temperament were measured by using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI) at 26-mo corrected age, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Short Temperament Scale for Children (STSC) between 3- and 5-y corrected age. Mean (+/-SD) MCDI scores did not differ significantly (adjusted P = 0.8) between the higher-DHA group (308 +/- 179, n = 60) and the control group (316 +/- 192, n = 67) per the Vocabulary Production subscale. Composite scores on the SDQ and STSC did not differ between the higher-DHA group and the control group [SDQ Total Difficulties: higher-DHA group (10.3 +/- 6.0, n = 61), control group (9.5 +/- 5.5, n = 64), adjusted P = 0.5 STSC score: higher-DHA group (3.1 +/- 0.7, n = 61), control group (3.0 +/- 0.7, n = 64), adjusted P = 0.3]. Feeding preterm infants milk containing 3 times the standard amount of DHA did not result in any clinically meaningful change to language development or behavior when assessed in early childhood. Whether longer-term effects of dietary DHA supplementation can be detected remains to be assessed. This trial was registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry at www.anzctr.org.au as 12606000327583.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 22-12-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-08-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-03-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-05-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.PLEFA.2021.102367
Abstract: Women with low n-3 (omega-3) status in pregnancy can reduce their risk of early preterm birth (<34 weeks' gestation) through n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation. As investigators measure fatty acid status in different blood fractions, equations are needed to compare results across studies. Similarly, derived cut-points for defining low and replete n-3 status are needed to assist clinical interpretation during early pregnancy. Our aims were to develop equations to convert the percentage of total n-3 fatty acids, EPA+DHA and DHA between whole blood, plasma and red blood cells (RBC), and to derive cut-points for defining low and replete total n-3 fatty acid status in plasma and RBC from those already established in whole blood. Using blood s les from 457 pregnant women in a multicentre randomised controlled trial, equations for these interconversions were developed using simple linear regression models. Measures of n-3 fatty acid status in whole blood and plasma were strongly related (R
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-070220
Abstract: The risk factors for prematurity are multifactorial and include low omega-3 status. Omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy has been found to reduce prematurity risk, particularly among women with low omega-3 levels. This study aimed to identify maternal characteristics that predict whether women with a singleton pregnancy will benefit from omega-3 supplementation to reduce their risk of prematurity. Exploratory analyses of a multicentre, double-blind randomised trial. 6 tertiary care centres in four states in Australia. 5328 singleton pregnancies in 5305 women recruited before 20 weeks of gestation. Fish oil capsules containing 900 mg omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids per day versus vegetable oil capsules consumed from enrolment until 34 weeks’ gestation. Early preterm birth (EPTB, weeks’ gestation) and preterm birth (PTB, weeks’ gestation) analysed using logistic regression models with interactions between treatment group and a range of maternal biological, clinical and demographic characteristics. Omega-3 supplementation reduced the odds of EPTB for women with low total omega-3 status in early pregnancy (OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.10–0.93). No additional maternal characteristics influenced whether omega-3 supplementation reduced the odds of EPTB. For PTB, women were more likely to benefit from omega-3 supplementation if they were multiparous (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.49–0.87) or avoided alcohol in the lead up to pregnancy (OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.45–0.86). Our results support previous findings that women with low total omega-3 levels in early pregnancy are most likely to benefit from taking omega-3 supplements to reduce their risk of EPTB. Understanding how other maternal characteristics influence the effectiveness of omega-3 supplementation on reducing PTB requires further investigation. ACTRN12613001142729.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-04-2020
DOI: 10.1002/MAR.21357
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Date: 08-09-2010
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Date: 15-08-2012
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJPO-2021-001241
Abstract: Proper nutrition in early childhood is essential to ensure optimal growth and development. Use of ‘better-for-you’ features on food packaging position products as healthier for children. This study aims to systematically explore the use of better-for-you labelling on infant and toddler food packaging. A cross-sectional audit of health and nutrition claims, text and images used as ‘better-for-you’ features present on infant and toddler food packaging. Data on infant and toddler food packaging were collected from five large grocery stores in Adelaide, Australia in 2019. The content of 282 unique commercial products (n=215 infant foods, n=67 toddler foods) were analysed for explicit and implicit features positioning them as better-for-you, including health and nutrition claims as well as text and images representing ‘natural.’ At least one feature of better-for-you positioning was identified on all food packaging coded. All products had characteristics coded as ‘natural’. Almost one-fifth (17%) of the products included statements in addition to mandatory allergen labelling that their products were ‘free from’ certain allergens, or gluten. One-third of the labels had statements related to enhancing development of taste, oro-motor skills and other aspects of childhood development. Of the fruit and vegetable-based infant foods displaying a sugar statement suggesting a low sugar content, 85% were sweetened with fruit puree. The use of better-for-you features on infant and toddler food packaging is common and pervasive. Allergen-free and developmental claims are being used to position infant and toddler foods as better-for-you. Regulation of toddler food products separately from adult food is required, as is tighter regulation of the appropriate use of sugar and fruit puree statements on infant and toddler food packaging.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Lucy Simmonds.