"Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy might translate into healthier growth in children during their first six years of life a new study suggests. This study highlights the fact that in utero exposure can have a profound effect on the fetus that lasts through childhood said Dr. Jennifer Wu an obstetriciangynecologist from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. For the past decade the importance of fish oil and the omega fatty acids have been stressed to patients explained Wu who was not involved in the study. The use of fish oil in the latter part of the pregnancy has an impact on bone and muscle mass. Though these children are larger they do not have increased rates of obesity Wu added. In the study the researchers followed  pregnant women in Denmark who took either fish oil or olive oil supplements daily from week  of their pregnancy until one week after they gave birth. The children were assessed  times between birth and the age of  years. Those whose mothers took the fish oil supplements during pregnancy sustained a higher body mass index BMI from the age of  to  years. However the higher BMI was not due to a higher percentage of fat but rather to higher percentages of lean muscle and bone mass the researchers found. At age  children whose mothers took fish oil supplements while pregnant had a  grams higher total mass  grams higher lean mass and  grams higher bone mineral content than children whose mothers who took olive oil during pregnancy the findings showed. The body composition at age  years in children given fish oil supplementation was characterized by a proportional increase in lean bone and fat mass suggesting a general growthstimulating effect the researchers who were led by Hans Bisgaard from the University of Copenhagen wrote in the report. However the findings only showed an association and did not prove that fish oil pills caused healthier growth in children.  According to Dr. Jill Rabin cochief of the division of ambulatory care Womens Health ProgramsPCAP Services at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park N.Y. In pregnancy and beyond adequate intake of fish is important for normal human development and this paper certainly adds to the literature.  But Rabin who was not involved in the study did add a few caveats about the findings. The population studied was relatively homogenous and the body mass findings were not the object of the study wheezing or asthma in children was the primary objective growth was a secondary finding Rabin explained. Certainly however this solid paper adds to the literature and paves the way for additional research on this interesting topic. The report by Bisgaard and colleagues was published online Sept.  in the BMJ. More information The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on healthy growth https SOURCES Jennifer Wu M.D. obgyn Lenox Hill Hospital New York City Jill Rabin M.D. cochief division of ambulatory care Womens Health ProgramsPCAP Services Northwell Health New Hyde Park N.Y. BMJ news release Sept."