Maternal Factors Associated with Levels of Fatty Acids, Specifically n-3 PUFA during Pregnancy: ECLIPSES Study

Abstract

An optimal fatty acid (FA) profile during pregnancy, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is essential for the health of the mother and child. Our aim was to identify the socioeconomic and maternal lifestyle factors associated with serum FA concentration in pregnant women. A longitudinal study was conducted on 479 pregnant women, who were assessed during the first (T1) and third (T3) trimesters of pregnancy. Data on maternal characteristics, food consumption, and lifestyle were collected. Serum FA concentrations were analysed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combination. The multiple linear regression showed that high educational level and older age were significantly associated with higher EPA and DHA concentrations and lower values of n-6/n-3 and arachidonic acid (AA)/EPA in T1 and/or T3. Regarding diet—fish and seafood consumption increased EPA concentration and reduced n-6/n-3 and AA/EPA values in both trimesters, whereas its consumption increased DHA concentration only in T1. Smoking was associated with lower DHA concentration in T1 and higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio in both trimester. Overweight and obesity were associated with higher values of n-6/n-3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio in T1. A statistically non-significant association was observed with saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In conclusion, high educational levels, older age, fish, seafood consumption, and/or non-smoking, are factors that influence better omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) profile in both trimesters of pregnancy. Further research is needed to go in-depth into these findings and their health consequences.

Nutritional, Anthropometric and Sociodemographic Factors Affecting Fatty Acids Profile of Pregnant Women’s Serum at Labour—Chemometric Studies

“…These are rich dietary sources of MUFA, especially OL of high oxidative stability and beneficial health influence. A similar tendency concerning olive oil was observed by Aparicio et al [ 18 ]. High usage of sunflower oil, also established in the present study, especially for frying, seems disquieting due to its lower oxidative stability resulting from high LA content, etc.…”

“…Our previous results clearly indicated that proper CLA supply in the maternal diet may beneficially influence children’s health also in adulthood [ 1 , 20 , 21 ]. Maternal serum fatty acids profile generally was similar to that revealed in studies by other authors [ 18 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Overweight and obesity were also associated with higher values of n6/n3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio in first trimester. Hence, smoking was associated with lower DHA concentration in first trimester and higher values of n6/n3 ratio in both trimesters, which confirmed the detrimental influence of smoking for both mother and child [ 18 ]. In the present study, chemometric analyses were also successfully applied to large data sets of fatty acids profiles in serum samples of pregnant women, which allowed us to reveal subtle and discrete dependencies among serum fatty acids profiles and nutritional, anthropometric or sociodemographic factors.…”

“…50% of pregnant women ate fewer than 2 ounces a week, far less than the amount recommended [ 27 ]. Meanwhile, studies by Aparicio et al confirmed, that fish and seafood consumption increased EPA concentration and reduced n6/n3 and AA/EPA values in the first and third trimesters, whereas its consumption increased DHA concentration only in the first trimester in pregnant Spanish women [ 18 ].…”

Effect of Maternal Nutrition on Cognitive Function of Children

“…To determine the benefit for maternal-child health of maintaining an optimal fatty acid (FA) profile during pregnancy, Aparicio et al [ 5 ] studied the environmental factors that were related to levels of saturated FA, monounsaturated FA and omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated FA at the beginning and end of pregnancy in a sample of healthy pregnant women from the Spanish Mediterranean area (ECLIPSES study). Adjusted multivariate analyses for several maternal factors (educational level, age, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, food consumption) showed that higher educational levels, older age, greater consumption of fish and shellfish, and/or not smoking during pregnancy were associated with higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and consequently the indices for n-6/n-3 and arachidonic acid (AA)/EPA were reduced.…”