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(OR23-04-26) Remote DHA Status Assessment to Inform Prenatal Supplementation: A Feasibility Study

Monday, July 27, 2026
4:42 PM - 4:54 PM ET
Location: Maryland Ballroom D

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Clara R. Brola, MPH, CHES

    Project Manager
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • KJ

    Kristina H. Jackson, PhD, RD

    OmegaQuant Analytics, Department of Internal Medicine: Sanford School of Medicine, Fatty Acid Research Institute, United States

  • MB

    Michelle L. Butler

    Nordic Naturals, United States

  • EM

    Emily Malloy, PhD, CNM, FACNM

    Advocate Aurora Health, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, United States

  • MK

    Melissa L. Kozakiewicz, MD

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine, United States

  • KS

    Katherine A. Sauder, PhD

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure(s):
Clara R. Brola, MPH, CHES: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of remote docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) biomarker self-collection during early pregnancy (≤20 weeks) and assess uptake of home testing and no-cost DHA supplement vouchers. This work aims to inform future trials to reduce preterm birth through biomarker-guided DHA supplementation.

Methods: This observational feasibility study included pregnant adults aged 18-39 receiving prenatal care in a large US health system. Eligible patients were identified via electronic health records and invited through patient portal messaging. Participants completed electronic consent and intake forms via REDCap after which a commercially available prenatal DHA dried blood spot test kit was mailed. Participants self-collected fingerstick blood samples at home and returned them to the laboratory by prepaid mail. Participants received a $20 electronic gift card upon sample submission. DHA results were shared with participants, who were then offered no-cost DHA supplement vouchers aligned to DHA status. Feasibility outcomes included consent, test kit completion, and voucher redemption. DHA values were summarized descriptively.

Results: Of 828 invited patients, 106 responded, 55 consented, and 49 provided mailing information. Test kits were mailed to 49 participants with complete intake data, and 32 participants (65%) returned a blood sample (31 analyzable; one arrived after analysis). Of these, 20 (65%) had DHA levels below adequacy thresholds ( < 5% of red blood cell fatty acids). Upon receiving results, 15 participants redeemed DHA supplement vouchers (12 with low DHA status and 3 with high DHA status).

Conclusions: While overall uptake was low (12.8%), remote DHA biomarker self-testing during early pregnancy was feasible among engaged participants (65%). Integrating DHA biomarker assessment into standard prenatal workflows may be needed to optimize reach. Biomarker-informed supplementation paired with no-cost DHA vouchers represents a promising, low-burden strategy for future hybrid effectiveness-implementation trials.

Funding Sources: (Departmental) Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Public Health Sciences: Implementation Science