Werribee Mercy Hospital is taking part in a world-first study to determine whether fish oil supplements can prevent premature births.
Together with five other Australian hospitals, Werribee Mercy is studying whether the use of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fish and fish oil supplements, can help maintain a pregnancy to full term.
The Omega-3 Fats to Reduce the Incidence of Prematurity trial will examine the effects of the supplements on pregnant woman and their babies up until 34 weeks gestation, while monitoring the rate of pre-term births.
Jacqui van Dam, who is overseeing Werribee Mercy’s participation in the study, said it was hoped DHA could reduce the number of babies born extremely prematurely.
Dr Van Dam said preventing premature birth was the most significant challenge in obstetric and neonatal care, with 15 per cent of babies born before 34 weeks.
“They end up in special care, requiring special feeding and have organ development problems,” Dr Van Dam said. “In the uterus, they wouldn’t be using their lungs and they wouldn’t be breathing; mum would be doing that. ”
The study came about after researchers in Adelaide began looking into the general health of pregnant women and noticed that women taking fish oil supplements sustained their pregnancies for one to two days longer than those who did not.
Dr Van Dam said that, if successful, the trial would be a “breakthrough”.
“If successful, it will be the single most effective, safe and broadly applicable primary prevention strategy to reduce the risk of early pre-term birth,” she said.
“A day for a baby makes a massive difference. Babies born under 34 weeks don’t do well.”
Werribee Mercy Hospital is aiming to recruit to the study 550 women, signed up through its antenatal clinic, by December 2016. Australia-wide, 5500 women are expected to take part. Already, more than 200 women attending Werribee Mercy have signed up.
Other hospitals taking part in the study are Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Narlunga Hospital in South Australia; Joondalup health campus in Western Australia; and Mater Mothers Hospital in Queensland.
Women who wish to participate must be less than 20 weeks gestation and not taking any fish oil supplements. Inquiries: 0455 025 990.
