Open AccessInfluence of fatty fish intake during pregnancy in the polyunsaturated fatty acids of erythrocyte phospholipids in the mother at labor and newborn infant
Author(s) -
Sanjurjo Pablo,
Matorras Roberto,
Perteagudo Lourdes
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349509013468
Subject(s) - docosahexaenoic acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , fish oil , arachidonic acid , medicine , population , pregnancy , fatty acid , endocrinology , physiology , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , genetics , environmental health , fishery , enzyme
Background. Assessing the relationship between fatty fish intake, the main source of N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and maternal and fetal levels in erythrocytes at labor. Methods. The fatty acid composition was studied in 64 mother‐newborn infant pairs by means of capillar gas chromatography. Following a nutritional inquiry our population was classified as follows: superior intake group (SIG) (> 4 times fatty fish per month; 54.4±20.5 g/day), medium intake group (MIG) (2–4 per month; 16.5±4 g/day) and inferior intake group (IIG) (< 2 times per month; 4.3±4 g/day). Results. In erythrocyte phospholipids higher levels were observed in SIG in relation to IIG in mothers regarding eicosapentaenoic (0.56±0.3% and 0.39±0.2%; p=0.02) and docosahexaenoic acids (6.14±1.16% and 5.4±0.98%; p=0.02) and in newborn infants regarding eicosapentaenoic acid (0.32±0.24% and 0.17±0.09%; p < 0.01). On the other hand, SIG had lower values of arachidonic acid than IIG in mother (11.15±1.61% vs 12.83±1.86%; p < 0.01) and newborn infants (16.08 ± 3.42% vs 17.89±2.57%; p=0.05). Conclusions. From a biochemical point of view, and taking into account the pre‐existing literature, it is suggested that a minimum fatty fish intake of twice per month should be recommended (edible portion 85 g.) in order to reach the N‐6/N‐3 quotient usually proposed.