Higher Oily Fish Consumption in Late Pregnancy Is Associated With Reduced Aortic Stiffness in the Child at Age 9 Years. Issue 7 (27th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bryant, Jennifer; Hanson, Mark; Peebles, Charles; Davies, Lucy; Inskip, Hazel; Robinson, Sian; Calder, Philip C.; Cooper, Cyrus; Godfrey, Keith M.
• Is Part Of: Circulation research. Volume 116:Issue 7(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03-27
• Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Periodicals; Blood -- Circulation -- Periodicals; Blood Circulation; Cardiovascular System; Vascular Diseases; Sang -- Circulation -- Périodiques; Appareil cardiovasculaire -- Périodiques; 612.1
• DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.305158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-7330

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title> <underline>Rationale:</underline> </title> <p>Higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) reflects increased arterial stiffness and is an established cardiovascular risk marker associated with lower long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in adults. Experimentally, maternal fatty acid intake in pregnancy has lasting effects on offspring arterial stiffness.</p> </sec> <sec> <title> <underline>Objective:</underline> </title> <p>To examine the association between maternal consumption of oily fish, a source of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in pregnancy and child's aortic stiffness age 9 years.</p> </sec> <sec> <title> <underline>Methods and Results:</underline> </title> <p>In a mother–offspring study (Southampton Women's Survey), the child's descending aorta PWV was measured at the age of 9 years using velocity-encoded phase-contrast MRI and related to maternal oily fish consumption assessed prospectively during pregnancy. Higher oily fish consumption in late pregnancy was associated with lower childhood aortic PWV (sex-adjusted β=−0.084 m/s per portion per week; 95% confidence interval, −0.137 to −0.031; <italic>P</italic>=0.002; n=226). Mother's educational attainment was independently associated with child's PWV. PWV was not associated with the child's current oily fish consumption.</p> </sec> <sec> <title> <underline>Conclusions:</underline> </title> <p>Level of maternal oily fish consumption in pregnancy may influence child's large artery development, with potential long-term consequences for later cardiovascular risk.</p> </sec> </abstract>