EFFECTIVENESS OF FISH OIL IN PREVENTING PRE-TERM LABOR

STUDY:  EFFECTIVENESS OF FISH OIL IN PREVENTING PRE-TERM LABOR
A recent study has shown that supplementation of asymptomatic pregnant women with one fish oil capsule per day is a potentially cost-effective intervention in the prevention of pre-term labor before 34 weeks of pregnancy.  Published in the December 2009 edition of the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, the study authors investigated the potential cost-effectiveness of alternative “test and treat” strategies in the prevention of spontaneous pre-term birth before 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation.  They studied asymptomatic women in early pregnancy and symptomatic women with potential pre-term labor in later pregnancy.  Systematic reviews found evidence on the accuracy of 22 types of tests and on the effectiveness of 40 possible interventions.  The authors conclude that the use of effective, affordable and safe interventions, like supplementation with fish oil capsules, are likely to be the most cost-effective strategies for prevention of spontaneous pre-term labor
 and birth.  To access the study abstract online, go to :
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/record/19943821/abstract/An_economic_evaluation_of_alternative_test_intervention_strategies_to_prevent_spontaneous_pre_term_birth_in_singleton_pregnancies_http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/record/19943821/abstract/An_economic_evaluation_of_alternative_test_intervention_strategies_to_prevent_spontaneous_pre_term_birth_in_singleton_pregnancies_