The purpose of this study is to determine the efficiency of uptake of omega-3 fatty acids into breast milk from a specific type of omega-3 supplement. 

If you are planning or currently breastfeeding your baby you may be able to help us find out how well omega-3 supplements are processed and transferred into breast milk, for contact details please see attached and below.

Omega-3 fatty acids support both maternal health and infant development. Fish is the major dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, but fish consumption in Australia is low, and omega-3 supplements are an alternative way to increase omega-3 status. Previous studies have shown that the uptake of omega-3 fatty acids into human blood and breast milk can vary significantly between different types of omega-3 supplements according to the formulation and form in which the fatty acids are provided. In the case of women who are breastfeeding, the uptake of supplements into breast milk depends on both the efficiency of uptake into the maternal circulation, and the transfer of these fatty acids to the breast milk, both of which can vary between individuals. For further information: Omega-3 in Breast Milk

In the N3RO Trial (N-3 fatty acids for improvement in Respiratory Outcomes), we are investigating whether giving very preterm infants (those born less than 29 weeks’ gestation) an extra supply of an n-3 (or omega-3) fat called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), improves important respiratory outcomes associated with being born early. 

The outcome of the trial has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NJEM): Docosahexaenoic Acid and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants. The paper reports the results of the N3RO trial that involved 13 centres in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and showed that giving extra omega 3 fats to babies born <29 weeks has no effect on chronic lung disease and may increase risk.

Infantile beriberi, a fatal disease caused by thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency, remains a public health concern in Cambodia and regions where B-vitamin poor, polished white rice is a staple food. Low maternal thiamin intake limits breast milk thiamin content, putting breastfed infants at risk of beriberi. In this study we fortified fish sauce, a popular Cambodian condiment, to increase maternal dietary thiamin intake.

Anemia, defined by a low hemoglobin level, affects half of women in Cambodia. Hemoglobin is important as it helps to transfer oxygen in the blood throughout the body. Without enough hemoglobin women feel tired and it may hurt their baby when pregnant. Anemia is caused by poor nutrition, blood gene problems, as well as infections. In Cambodia, iron deficiency is assumed to be the cause of anemia due to low-iron diets. However, it is difficult to assess iron deficiency in populations that have high rates of blood gene problems and infection. The blood markers that are usually used to measure iron deficiency are increased in people with these blood gene problems and infection. Therefore, it is difficult to determine if women in Cambodia really have iron deficiency. This is important in terms of planning nutrition programs that will help with anemia. In this study we supplemented women with iron and measured hemoglobin to assess whether anaemia was caused by iron deficiency.

The MAGENTA trial is assessing whether antenatal magnesium sulphate given to women at risk of preterm birth between 30 and 34 weeks' gestation reduces the risk of death or cerebral palsy in their children.