International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Maternal and newborn health research has found no evidence that excessive weight gain in infants can be prevented by women taking fish oil tablets during pregnancy.

Previous studies have claimed there is a link between a mum-to-be's consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and a reduction in adipose tissue growth in her baby, while a higher amount of "bad" fats could lead to an increase.

However, in an investigation involving 208 expectant mothers, it was found omega 3-rich fish oil supplements had no effect on preventing weight gain among infants.

Professor Hans Hauner, head of the Else Kroner-Fresenius Centre for Nutritional Medicine at Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany, who was involved in the study, said: "Prenatal development is a complex process that cannot be reduced to a simple correlation between nutrient intake and fat mass growth."

Midwife for UK baby charity Tommy's Jo Taylor recently suggested pregnant women's health could be improved by eating protein-rich foods, as well as fish, vegetables, fruit and whole grains.

Posted by David Smith