Self-Reported Intake and Circulating EPA and DHA Concentrations in US Pregnant Women

Abstract

In the United States, pregnant women have low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are essential for fetal development. Although maternal blood provides accurate polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations, venipuncture is expensive and not always accessible. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between maternal self-reported dietary intake of foods high in DHA and EPA with maternal blood concentrations. Pregnant women (13–16 weeks gestation) were recruited and asked to complete a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and blood draw at enrollment and 36 weeks. Circulating concentrations of DHA and EPA were quantified and change scores were calculated. Correlations were done to determine associations between FFQ results and EPA/DHA maternal blood concentrations. Regression analyses were run to examine significant predictors of the main outcomes. Overall, PUFA-food consumption and RBC’s DHA levels decreased from early to late pregnancy; self-reported PUFA-rich food consumption positively correlated with DHA and EPA levels. DHA concentration was predicted by self-reported PUFA-rich oils (sunflower/soy/corn/olive) consumption, but EPA concentration was predicted by maternal BMI. These findings suggest that EPA and DHA consumption decreased across pregnancy and the FFQ can be utilized as an effective method for estimating PUFA blood concentration during pregnancy.

Optimal omegas – barriers and novel methods to narrow omega-3 gaps. A narrative review

“…Women self-reported their dietary intakes at enrolment (13-16 weeks into pregnancy) and at 36 weeks into gestation (32). It was found that polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption decreased from early to late pregnancy which was attributed to a decline in the nutritional quality of diets as pregnancy progressed (32). This is interesting given that sex hormones and physiological changes associated with pregnancy can increase liver enzymes involved in DHA synthesis (33).…”

“…In the United States (US) recent research measured EPA and DHA blood concentrations across pregnancy (32). Women self-reported their dietary intakes at enrolment (13-16 weeks into pregnancy) and at 36 weeks into gestation (32).…”

“…In the United States (US) recent research measured EPA and DHA blood concentrations across pregnancy (32). Women self-reported their dietary intakes at enrolment (13-16 weeks into pregnancy) and at 36 weeks into gestation (32). It was found that polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption decreased from early to late pregnancy which was attributed to a decline in the nutritional quality of diets as pregnancy progressed (32).…”