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DHA‐Functional Food in Pregnancy Decreases Infant Ponderal Index and Cord Blood Insulin Concentration
Author(s) -
Courville Amber B,
Keplinger Melissa R,
Harel Ofer,
LammiKeefe Carol J
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a690-c
Subject(s) - medicine , cord blood , adiponectin , pregnancy , birth weight , leptin , insulin , placebo , gestation , endocrinology , body mass index , hormone , infant formula , physiology , obstetrics , obesity , insulin resistance , pediatrics , biology , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology
Birth weight may impact propensity for obesity related disease later in life. We aimed to determine if consumption of a DHA‐functional food (DHA‐FF) during pregnancy impacts infant birth weight or endocrine markers of adiposity. Women were recruited before 24 wks gestation and assigned to a DHA‐ cereal based bar or placebo (average 5 d/wk) until delivery. Infants' weights and lengths were obtained at delivery. Cord blood was collected at delivery with a double clamp method. Plasma hormones were measured using commercially available ELISA assays. Infant body weight at delivery was not different between groups, however ponderal index (PI, weight/length 3 ) of infants born to women consuming the DHA‐FF was lower than PI of infants in the placebo group. Insulin concentration, an indicator of glucose sensitivity, was lower in infants of mothers consuming the DHA‐FF than infants of mothers consuming the placebo. The concentration of other cord blood hormones, adiponectin, leptin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and thyroxine, were not different between groups. In summary, a moderate intervention with a DHA‐FF positively influenced infant PI and cord blood insulin concentration, decreasing both. These findings support the notion that DHA supplementation during pregnancy decreases infant adiposity at birth and therefore may have long term consequences for the infant. Supported in part by USDA IFAFS, Nestec, Ltd, Switzerland and NFI