Universal supplementation with the omega-3 DHA during the last two trimesters of pregnancy may save the US healthcare system billions of dollars, says a new study. The Kansas University DHA Outcomes Study (KUDOS) indicated that a daily 600 mg DHA supplement led to significant reductions in early preterm birth (ePTB) and would result in significant hospital cost savings. Researchers reports “We come up with a potential savings of USD 6.15 biollion for ePAB alone based on an estimated current cost of ePTB of USD 10.6 billion. The savings could be even higher if one considers subsequent long-term expenditures for special education services associated with disabling conditions among premature infants.”
KUDOS follows hot on the heels of a report by Australian researchers that indicated the DHA supplementation was associated with 15% lower rates of pre-term births that would translate into up to USD 15 million annually for just the initial ePTB coverage.