Nutrient status in FOPP study pregnant women and their infants.

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Nutrient status analysis of pregnant women and their infants from the Fish Oil and Probiotics in Pregnancy (FOPP) study in Turku, Finland.

  • IRAS ID

    248538

  • Contact name

    Philip Calder

  • Contact email

    P.C.Calder@soton.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Southampton

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 27 days

  • Research summary

    The Fish Oil and Probiotics in Pregnancy (FOPP) study conducted in Turku, Finland is looking at the effect of fish oil (rich in the healthy omega-3 fatty acids) and probiotics (‘friendly’ gut bacteria with known health benefits) during pregnancy. The study is looking at how these supplements may reduce the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) which is a type of diabetes that happens to some mothers in pregnancy. Having GDM means that the mother cannot manage (metabolise) sugar (as glucose) in the normal way. GDM is associated with some health risks for both the mother and her baby.
    This research, conducted at the University of Southampton, will measure the nutrients status (for polyunsaturated fatty acids and iodine) of the mothers and infants on the FOPP study.
    Measurement of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids will establish how the fish oil supplements provided on the study change the status in mothers.
    Measurement of urinary iodine will establish the iodine status of mothers and infants. Iodine is used by the body to make thyroid hormones which are critical for many metabolic processes and also to allow proper nerve and brain cell development in the baby. Iodine via its influence on metabolism may have an influence on risk of developing GDM and is therefore important to measure in the FOPP study.

  • REC name

    East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/EM/0285

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Sep 2018

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion