Table 4.

Maternal erythrocyte DHA concentration before and after supplementation.

Group	Baseline (% of total fatty acids) Mean ± SD	Baseline 95% CI	6 Months (% of total fatty acids) Mean ± SD	6 Months 95% CI	Mean difference	% Change	p-value
Urban control	2.1 ± 0.3	1.93–2.27	2.2 ± 0.2	2.09–2.31	+0.1	+4.8	0.312
Urban supplemented	2.2 ± 0.2	2.09–2.31	4.8 ± 0.4	4.58–5.02	+2.6	+118.2	<0.001***
Rural control	1.9 ± 0.2	1.79–2.01	2.0 ± 0.3	1.83–2.17	+0.1	+5.3	0.285
Rural supplemented	2.0 ± 0.3	1.83–2.17	4.2 ± 0.3	4.03–4.37	+2.2	+110.0	<0.001***

Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 15 mothers per group). Erythrocyte DHA concentration is expressed as percentage of total fatty acids. Baseline measurements were obtained at 1 month postpartum and post-intervention measurements at 6 months postpartum. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated around the mean values. Within-group comparisons were performed using paired Student’s t-tests. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. ***p < 0.001. DHA, Docosahexaenoic Acid; CI, Confidence Interval.