SAHMRI to test pregnant women for omega-3 levels, checking for a connection to premature birth

A pre-natal screening program will from Monday make free omega-3 checks on pregnant women, testing for a connection to premature births.

A world-first pre-natal screening program starts in Adelaide on Monday, with pregnant women receiving free omega-3 checks in a bid to cut the incidence of premature births.

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) will measure the success of the program and the impact of omega-3 on reducing preterm births.

“Pregnant women who have a low concentration of omega-3 in their blood are more likely to have an early birth, so it is important we identify this risk early and take action,” SA Pathology clinical service director Tom Dodd said.

“Those found to have a low concentration of omega-3 in their blood will be given information on how appropriate supplements can increase their omega-3 levels and significantly reduce their likelihood of a preterm birth.”

SAHMRI deputy director Maria Makrides said babies born too soon could suffer complications requiring long stays in hospital and long-term health and developmental problems.

“By monitoring the number of tests done, the percentage of women with low omega-3 levels, and how many babies are born early, we will be able to show whether this intervention is working to directly benefit South Australian babies and their families,” Prof Makrides said.

Olga Kotok with her son Luka Aplin, seven months, who was born premature last year, and SAHMRI professor Maria Makrides. Picture: Emma Brasier

Adelaide mum Olga Kotok said anything to reduce the risk of premature birth was critical for the safety and wellbeing of mums and their babies.

She gave birth to her first child, Luka, in June last year, at 29 weeks gestation.

She said if premature birth could be avoided, babies would not have to suffer significant physical and chemical intervention and time in hospital away from their families.

Health officials across the globe and interstate are keeping a close eye on the screening program’s results in the hope of including omega-3 among in current routine antenatal testing for foetal anomalies such as neural tube defects and Down syndrome.

The omega-3 test will be performed by SA Pathology within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy on women expecting a single baby.

SAHMRI’s Cochrane review examined almost 20,000 single baby pregnancies, and found taking omega-3 supplements reduced the risk of a baby arriving before 34 weeks of pregnancy by 42 per cent.

Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance chairman Professor John Newnham said the results of the clinical rollout would be “keenly awaited” and were likely to inform extension of the program across Australia.