As of next month, women in South Australia will have access to a free screening program aimed to significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth.
Routine early pregnancy screening in South Australia will soon include omega-3 fatty acid testing for all pregnant women, in a move that researchers say will reduce rates of preterm birth.
From 1 June, pregnant women undergoing antenatal blood tests before 20 weeks’ gestation will also have their omega-3 levels tested, allowing clinicians to identify those with low levels and recommend appropriate supplementation and management.
The world-first initiative is being led by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) in partnership with SA Pathology.
Researchers involved in the program previously conducted what they described as the world’s largest clinical trial of omega-3 during pregnancy, with findings suggesting routine screening could reduce preterm birth by around 14%.
Since the screening program began in 2021, more than 37,000 South Australian women have been tested, with around 17% found to have low omega-3 levels. These findings, presented at Pathology Update 2022, were based on participation from around a third of eligible pregnant women in the state.
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Currently, around 8% of babies born in Australia are preterm (before 34 weeks’ gestation), increasing the risk of complications and long-term health and developmental issues.
In a media release, the South Australian Government said that omega-3 supplementation appeared most beneficial among deficient women when initiated early in pregnancy, reducing the risk of preterm birth by up to 77%.
They anticipate limited disruption as the new testing is incorporated into existing antenatal and routine maternity care across the state.
“South Australia is proud to be leading the world with this evidence-based approach to antenatal care,” said SA Minister for Health and WellbeingBlair Boyer.
“By acting on decades of research, we are taking practical steps to reduce preterm birth and improve outcomes for mothers and babies. What makes this initiative so powerful is that it is practical, scalable and already embedded into routine care.”
“Our goal is to see this approach adopted nationally so more families across Australia can benefit.”
