Fish oil for moms: could a simple supplement reduce stress and boost baby development?
NCT ID NCT02647723
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at whether taking DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) supplements during pregnancy can improve maternal health, reduce stress, and lead to better birth and brain development outcomes for babies. Researchers are giving 168 low-income African American women either DHA or a placebo daily for 24 weeks during pregnancy. The goal is to see if this simple nutritional change can make a real difference for both mother and child.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) as a dietary supplement
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that simple DHA supplements during pregnancy help reduce stress and improve baby health in at-risk communities.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 168 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The supplement may not show clear benefits over placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
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