South Australia will begin offering a free omega-3 blood test to all expectant mothers from 1 June, integrating the screening into routine early pregnancy care in a move aimed at identifying nutritional gaps linked to preterm birth risk.
The test will be included in standard antenatal blood work before 20 weeks of pregnancy. It forms part of a collaboration between SA Pathology and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), which will also provide guidance on supplementation where required.
Health authorities say the approach is designed to identify women with low omega-3 fatty acid levels early in pregnancy, allowing clinicians to offer targeted advice. Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in oily fish, eggs and algae-based sources, are known to support fetal brain and eye development. Blood testing remains the most accurate way to assess levels.
Preterm birth remains one of the most persistent challenges in maternity care. In Australia, around one in 12 babies are born prematurely each year, placing pressure on families and neonatal services. Babies born early can face a higher risk of complications, extended hospital stays and long-term developmental issues. Globally, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm annually, with those arriving before 34 weeks facing the highest medical risks.
The initiative is based on research led by SAHMRI over several years. A review of international studies involving about 20,000 women found omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth. Further clinical trial work led by SAHMRI indicated that supplementation was most effective for women with low omega-3 levels early in pregnancy, with results showing a reduction in early preterm birth risk of up to 77 per cent in that group.
Those findings contributed to updated Australian National Pregnancy Guidelines in 2020, which support higher dose omega-3 supplementation for women identified with low levels.
Since 2021, omega-3 testing has been gradually introduced in South Australia through the SA Pathology and SAHMRI partnership. More than 37,000 women have been tested during that period, with around 17 per cent found to have low omega-3 levels.
The new rollout will see testing embedded within routine antenatal appointments across the state, with no additional steps required for most patients beyond standard blood collection. Health officials say the aim is to minimise disruption while expanding access to preventive care.
South Australian Education, Training and Skills Minister Blair Boyer said the program reflects a shift towards earlier identification of risk factors in pregnancy care.
“South Australia is proud to be leading the world with this evidence-based approach to antenatal care,” he said.
“By acting on decades of research, we are taking practical steps to reduce preterm birth and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.”
He said preterm birth can have lasting impacts on families and that prevention strategies are an important focus for health services.
“This initiative allows us to identify risk early and intervene in a way that is simple, safe and supported by strong scientific evidence,” he said.
“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.”
From a laboratory perspective, SA Pathology says the test provides clinicians with an additional tool to assess nutritional status during pregnancy.
David Cox from SA Pathology’s Genetics and Molecular Pathology unit said the screening is designed to support earlier intervention.
“This is a practical, evidence-based intervention that can make a real difference at a population level and reflects a shift toward preventive healthcare,” he said.
“From a pathology perspective, this is a simple, reliable blood test that can provide valuable insight into a pregnant woman’s nutritional status.”
He said identifying low omega-3 levels early gives healthcare providers the opportunity to offer tailored dietary advice or supplementation.
“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.”
Researchers involved in the program say South Australia is currently the first jurisdiction in the world to integrate omega-3 testing into routine antenatal care at scale.
SAHMRI Pregnancy and Newborn Health Program Lead Dr Karen Best said the model allows for more personalised care during pregnancy.
“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,” she said.
She noted growing interest in the approach beyond Australia.
“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.”
Researchers say the focus now is on expanding access so that similar testing models can be considered more broadly across the country, with the aim of improving outcomes for pregnant women identified with low omega-3 levels early in pregnancy.
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