Maternal plasma n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy and features of fetal health: Fetal growth velocity, birth weight and duration of pregnancy. Issue 4 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grootendorst-van Mil, Nina H.; Tiemeier, Henning; Steenweg-de Graaff, Jolien; Koletzko, Berthold; Demmelmair, Hans; Jaddoe, Vincent W.V.; Steegers, Eric A.P.; Steegers-Theunissen, Régine P.M.
• Is Part Of: Clinical nutrition. Volume 37:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 1367
• Page End: 1374
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Birth weight -- Fatty acids -- Fetal growth -- Population-based cohort -- Pregnancy; Critically ill -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Parenteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Parenteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Diétothérapie -- Périodiques; Alimentation parentérale -- Périodiques; Alimentation entérale -- Périodiques; Nutrition -- Périodiques; Diet therapy; Enteral feeding; Nutrition; Parenteral feeding; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.06.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5614

Abstract

Summary: Background & aims: Maternal fatty acids are essential for fetal growth and development. Here, we examine associations between maternal mid-pregnancy plasma n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and fetal health determined by fetal growth velocity, birth weight and duration of pregnancy. Methods: Participants were 6974 pregnant women and their infants from a population-based birth cohort, the Generation R Study. Maternal plasma n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio and n-3 and n-6 PUFA percentage in glycerophospholipids in mid-pregnancy were related to fetal growth velocity calculated from repeatedly measured weight, length and head circumference, birth weight, and duration of pregnancy. Results: A higher maternal mid-pregnancy n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio was associated with a higher growth velocity of the fetal weight (β = 0.082 SD-score/week, 95% CI 0.055; 0.108, P < 0.001), length (β = 0.085 SD-score/week, 95% CI 0.052; 0.119, P < 0.001); and head (β = 0.055 SD-score/week, 95% CI 0.019; 0.091, P = 0.003). We also observed positive associations between n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio and birth weight (β = 0.76 SD-score, 95% CI 0.22; 1.29, P = 0.006), and duration of pregnancy (β = 1.32 weeks, 95% CI 0.24; 2.40, P = 0.02). Conclusions: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a higher n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio is important for fetal health. Highlights: The maternal n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio is positively associated with fetal growth velocity and duration of pregnancy. In particular a higher n-3 PUFA status is proposed for favourable pregnancy outcomes. An optimal balance between maternal n-3 and n-6 PUFA's is important for fetal health.