In a world first, South Australia will offer every expectant mother a free omega-3 blood test during early pregnancy to help reduce the risk of preterm birth and improve outcomes for babies.
From 1 June, the omega-3 test will be included in routine blood tests for every pregnant woman in the state as part of a test-and-treat collaboration between SA Pathology and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
It follows scientific evidence linking adequate omega-3 levels during pregnancy with reduced risk of preterm birth and improved developmental outcomes for babies.
Preterm birth is one of the most serious challenges in maternity care. In Australia, around one in 12 babies – or about eight per cent – are born prematurely each year, placing significant pressure on families and the health system.
Babies born too soon face higher risks of complications, long hospital stays and long term health and developmental issues. For families, it can mean weeks spent in neonatal intensive care.
Globally, around 15 million babies are born preterm each year, and early preterm births – those before 34 weeks – are associated with the highest risk of serious complications and lifelong disability.
Through a blood test taken before 20 weeks of pregnancy, this new initiative aims to identify women with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids – nutrients essential for fetal brain and eye development – and provide supplementation guidance where needed.
Omega-3 fatty acids commonly found in foods such as oily fish, algae and egg yolk, play a critical role during pregnancy. However, many women do not get enough omega-3 from their diet alone. A blood test is currently the only accurate way to determine omega 3 levels.
Omega-3 antenatal testing is based on decades of world-leading research led by SAHMRI. A major review of 70 international studies involving around 20,000 women found omega-3 supplements in pregnancy reduced the risk of preterm birth. Building on this evidence, SAHMRI led the world's largest clinical trial of omega-3 in pregnancy.
Researchers found omega 3 supplements are most effective for women with low omega 3 levels early in pregnancy, reducing the risk of early preterm birth (before 34 weeks) by up to 77 per cent.
As a result, higher dose omega-3 supplementation for women with low levels was included in the Australian National Pregnancy Guidelines in 2020.
SA Pathology and SAHMRI have since partnered, making omega-3 testing part of standard antenatal screening in South Australia. Since the program began in 2021, more than 37,000 South Australian women have been tested, with around 17 per cent found to have low omega-3 levels.
Omega-3 testing and supplementation advice will be integrated into existing antenatal appointments, ensuring minimal disruption while enhancing the standard of maternity care statewide.
As put by Blair Boyer
South Australia is proud to be leading the world with this evidence based approach to antenatal care.
By acting on decades of research, we are taking practical steps to reduce preterm birth and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
Preterm birth can have lifelong consequences, and prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have.
This initiative allows us to identify risk early and intervene in a way that is simple, safe and supported by strong scientific evidence.
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.
As put by SA Pathology Genetics and Molecular Pathology, David Cox
This is a practical, evidence-based intervention that can make a real difference at a population level and reflects a shift toward preventive healthcare.
From a pathology perspective, this is a simple, reliable blood test that can provide valuable insight into a pregnant woman's nutritional stats.
Identifying low omega-3 levels early allows health professionals to support them with targeted dietary advice or supplementation, helping to support optimal fetal development and reduce the risk of complications such as preterm birth.
As put by SAHMRI Pregnancy and Newborn Health Program Lead, Dr Karen Best
Measuring a woman's omega-3 status during pregnancy allows us to deliver the right advice, for the right woman at the right time, helping reduce the risk of babies being born too soon.
South Australia is the first place in the world to integrate omega-3 testing into routine antenatal care at scale, and the approach is attracting strong national and international interest.
Now successfully embedded in routine care here, our priority is to scale this across Australia so every woman, regardless of where she lives, can benefit.
