Where Moms Live in Croatia Shapes Omega-3 Levels in Mother, Placenta, and Baby
This study looked at 44 healthy pregnant women from three different regions of Croatia (Slavonia, Central Croatia, and Dalmatia) to see how regional eating habits affected fatty acid levels in the mother’s blood, the placenta, and the baby’s blood at birth.
Women from the coastal region of Split, where seafood is more commonly eaten, had notably higher DHA levels in their blood and placenta compared to women from Osijek, an inland region with less marine food in the local diet. The ratio of arachidonic acid to DHA (a marker often used to gauge inflammatory balance) was also more favorable in Split and highest in Osijek.
Researchers found that fatty acid levels in the baby’s umbilical blood closely tracked the mother’s levels, but babies consistently had a higher proportion of DHA and arachidonic acid relative to other fats, and less linoleic acid, than their mothers’ blood or the placenta contained. This suggests the placenta actively selects and prioritizes certain fats, like DHA, in the fetal supply.
What this means for you
This research highlights that where a pregnant woman lives and what foods are typical in her region can meaningfully affect the DHA that reaches her baby, and that women from areas with lower seafood consumption may have less favorable omega-3 status during pregnancy. It underscores why DHA and EPA intake during pregnancy is an important dietary consideration, particularly for those in regions where fish and seafood aren’t dietary staples.
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Frontiers in nutrition · 2026-01-01 · DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1883073
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.