A Correlation Study of DHA Intake Estimated by a FFQ and Concentrations in Plasma and Erythrocytes in Mid- and Late Pregnancy

Abstract

Adequate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the optimal growth and development of the fetus. Maternal DHA content fluctuates during pregnancy. The correlation of DHA content with dietary intake might be varied over the course of pregnancy. We aimed to compare the dietary DHA intake, estimated by a DHA-specific semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) against its blood content, among mid- and late-term pregnant women. A total of 804 Chinese pregnant women completed the tailored FFQ and provided fasting venous blood samples. Dietary DHA intake (mg/day) in the previous month was calculated from the FFQ using Chinese Food Composition Table. DHA concentrations (weight percent of total fatty acids) in plasma and erythrocytes were measured by capillary gas chromatography. Spearman correlation coefficients (rs) between DHA intake and its relative concentrations were calculated. After adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, stage of pregnancy, parity, education level, ethnicity, and annual family income per capita, the correlation coefficients of DHA intake with its concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were 0.35 and 0.33, respectively (p < 0.001). The correlations were relatively stronger among women in late pregnancy (rs = 0.44 in plasma and 0.39 in erythrocytes) than those in mid-pregnancy (rs = 0.25 and 0.26). The significant correlations were consistently observed in subgroups stratified by regions, except for erythrocytes in women living in a coastland area. Multiple regression analyses also indicated significant positive linear correlations between DHA intake and its plasma or erythrocytes concentrations (p < 0.001). In conclusion, dietary DHA intake, estimated by the FFQ, was positively correlated with its concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes in Chinese pregnant women, especially for women in late pregnancy, with the exception of the erythrocytes of those living in a coastland area.

Patterns and Determinants of Essential and Toxic Elements in Chinese Women at Mid-Pregnancy, Late Pregnancy, and Lactation

“…The maternal characteristics of the pregnant and lactating women analyzed in this study have been presented elsewhere. [ 29 , 31 ] In brief, the average (standard deviation) age of the women was 27.8 (3.0) years, and average pre-pregnancy BMI was 20.9 (2.9) kg/m 2 . Among the 1211 women, those at mid-pregnancy, late pregnancy, and lactation periods accounted for 33.6% (n = 407), 32.8% (n = 397), and 33.6% (n = 407), respectively.…”

“…A cross-sectional study was carried out in women at mid-pregnancy (15–19 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (37–41 weeks of gestation), and lactation (35–49 days postpartum) in the Weihai, Yueyang, and Baotou cities of China from May to July 2014 [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Weihai, prevailing a monsoon climate with a latitude of 37°25′ N, is a coastland city located in Shandong Province of China.…”

“…Dietary information in the previous month was collected using a semiquantitative, tablet-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by trained obstetricians or nurses. Given that the primary aim of the original study was to assess the maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status, only DHA-specific foods were contained in the FFQ, as detailed previously [ 30 , 31 ]. In the present analysis, information on freshwater aquatic products (38 items, such as carp, shrimp, and river crab), marine aquatic products (75 items, such as mackerel, lobster, and crab), mutton, and formula which probably contain multiple elements was used.…”

Marine n-3 fatty acid consumption in a Norwegian renal transplant cohort: Comparison of a food frequency questionnaire with plasma phospholipid marine n-3 levels

“…Previous FFQs have mainly focused on fatty fish intake, assumed to reflect marine n-3FA consumption better than total fish intake [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. We hypothesized that a more meticulous approach using weighted response scales based on EPA and DHA content in fatty and lean fish, other seafoods and marine n-3FA supplements would provide a more precise estimation of marine n-3FA consumption.…”

Trends and influencing factors of plasma folate levels in Chinese women at mid-pregnancy, late pregnancy and lactation periods

“…Yueyang (latitude: 29°37 0 N), located in Hunan Province, was selected to represent the southern region of China, Weihai (latitude: 37°25 0 N) in Shandong Province represented the central region and Baotou (latitude: 40°15 0 N) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region represented the northern region. Details of the study including the study design and subject characteristics have been described elsewhere (15)(16)(17) . Briefly, pregnant or lactating women who were attending routine prenatal or postpartum clinics at local hospitals were recruited by obstetricians if they were in good general health, aged 18-35 years, local permanent residents and had a singleton pregnancy or had just given birth to a healthy singleton.…”