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Newborns with lower levels of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA ) are abdominally more adipose
Author(s) -
Sanz N.,
Diaz M.,
LópezBermejo A.,
Sierra C.,
Fernández A.,
Zegher F.,
Ibáñez L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pediatric obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.226
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 2047-6310
pISSN - 2047-6302
DOI - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00200.x
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , medicine , adipose tissue , arachidonic acid , fetus , endocrinology , docosahexaenoic acid , linoleic acid , gestation , pregnancy , fatty acid , biochemistry , biology , genetics , enzyme
Summary Background Maternal nutrition is the main source of P oly‐ U nsaturated F atty A cids ( PUFA ) for the fetus. PUFA may influence the accumulation of fat in early life. Objectives & Methods In 33 breastfed infants born appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age, we studied whether body composition (judged by absorptiometry at 2 wk and 4 mo) relates to PUFA levels (assessed by gas chromatography) in the maternal or fetal circulation at birth. Results Abdominal fat at 2 wk associated negatively to umbilical‐cord levels of separate PUFA (linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid; all P between 0.001 and 0.015). Collectively, the assessed n‐6 PUFA on one hand and the n‐3 PUFA on the other hand associated negatively to the absolute amount of abdominal fat (in grams; P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and to the relative amount of abdominal fat (fraction of total fat; P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). No other significant associations were observed. Conclusion In conclusion, newborns with lower levels of circulating PUFA were found to be abdominally more adipose. The mechanisms underpinning these associations remain to be determined.