This recent study evaluated whether increasing DHA during the last half of pregnancy would result in fewer women with depressive symptoms and enhance neuro-developmental outcome of their children.

The study concluded that DHA fish oil capsules did not result in lowering levels of depression unless you were already at risk of depression. The amount they used was only 800 mg daily. Other studies have shown that 9.6 grams (over 9000 mg) per day is used to help depression.

DHA is important in the first trimester for healthy visual and brian development. Even though it may not make our children “smarter”, there are no harmful side effects, and benefits may be more compelling in premies or children with other developmental challenges such as autism.
DHA is now in many prenatal vitamins and I recommend that pregnant women continue taking these vitamins since there are no harmful effects and benefits may be there, although subtle.

Fish Oil Use in Pregnancy Didn’t Make Babies Smart – NYTimes.com

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