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Early-life high-dose omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty ac-id supplementation reduces risk of childhood asthma/wheezing: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

▪ Author: Sisi Cai, Xinyue Ji, Yang He, Ying Zhou, Sangwangjiu Ge, Mengting Gu, Yujia Shang, Shihan Wang, Danyue Yu, Simeng Ren, Dezheng Zhou Xiaohong Zhang
▪ Keyword: omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, asthma or wheezing, early-life, meta-analysis, dose-response relationship

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by wheezing, imposes a substantial global health burden on children. Given the potential of early-life omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) supplementation—as an anti-inflammatory intervention—to prevent childhood asthma and wheezing, this meta-analysis aims to clarify its efficacy and investigate dose-dependency. Methods and Study Design: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three reviewers independently evaluated the studies, extracted data, and assessed bias using the Jadad scale. The outcomes included the risk of asthma/wheezing: pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using fixed-effects models, along with sensitivity/subgroup analyses and dose-response meta-regression. Results: Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 4,156 participants showed no overall association between omega-3 PUFA and a reduced risk of asthma/wheezing (odds ratio [OR]: 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-1.18). However, high-dose supplementation (≥1,200 mg/day) significantly decreased the risk (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.46-0.94). Similarly, high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA ≥ 1,000 mg/day) also significantly reduced the risk (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46-0.97). Dose-response analysis confirmed a linear relationship (p = 0.002), indicating a 26.6% reduction in risk for every 1,000 mg/day increase in dose (OR: 0.734; 95% CI: 0.602-0.896). Subgroup analyses revealed no heterogeneity with respect to study location, allergy risk, or follow-up duration. Conclusions: Early-life omega-3 PUFA supplementation reduces childhood asthma/wheezing risk in a dose-dependent manner. High-dose regimens, particularly those involving EPA, provide substantial protection, suggesting a potential clinical strategy for prevention, although further validation is required.


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