Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation during childhood in preventing allergic disease: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background

Early omega-3 fatty acids exposure can influence early immune development and potentially prevent allergic disease.

Objectives

To review the effects of omega-3 fatty acids during childhood on allergic disease outcomes.

Methods

We conducted searches of the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and international trial registers (ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN Registry) to September 30, 2018. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies regarding the effect of omega-3 fatty acids during childhood on allergic disease outcomes. A total of 8 publications from 2 prospective cohort studies and 6 reports representing 5 unique RCTs were included.

Results

The results of meta-analysis showed that omega-3 fatty acids during childhood did not appear to significantly alter the risk of any atopy (≤3 years old: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.04, p = 0.08; > 3 years old: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.16, p = 0.77), wheeze (≤3 years old: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.26, p = 0.375; > 3 years old: RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.00, p = 0.929) and eczema (≤3 years old: RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.08, p = 0.20; > 3 years old: RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.35, p = 0.60).

Conclusions

There is limited evidence to support omega-3 fatty acids during childhood could reduce the risk of allergic disease.

Keywords:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• allergic disease
• asthma
• wheeze
• eczema
• meta-analysis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yin Zhang

Yin Zhang is responsible for data search, inclusion and exclusion of studies, data extraction, data analysis and writing the manuscript. Jilei Lin is responsible for data search, inclusion and exclusion of studies, data extraction and data analysis. Rui Zhou is responsible for data search, inclusion and exclusion of studies, assessment of methodological quality and checking the data extraction. Xuexiang Zheng is responsible for data search, assessment of methodological quality and checking the data extraction. Jihong Dai is responsible for conception of this systematic review, supervision, interpretation of results, and checking the first and the final versions of the manuscript.