Essential fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and birth weight: a study in term neonates.

P. Rump, R.P. Mensink, A.D.M. Kester, G. Hornstra

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: Am J Clin Nutr 2001 Apr;73(4):797-806 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut


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Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Apr;73(4):671-2.

Essential fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and birth weight: a study in term neonates.

Rump P, Mensink RP, Kester AD, Hornstra G.

Department of Human Biology and the Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands. [email protected]

BACKGROUND: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) in umbilical cord blood samples are associated with attained birth weight in premature infants and low-birth-weight neonates. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate relations between the EFA composition of cord and maternal plasma phospholipids and birth weight in term neonates. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study in 627 singletons born at term. The plasma phospholipid EFA composition of the mothers was determined by gas-liquid chromatography at study entry (< or = 16 wk gestation), at delivery, and in cord plasma at birth. Birth weights were normalized to SD scores. RESULTS: In cord plasma, the dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid concentration was positively related to weight SD scores. Both arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were negatively related to weight SD scores. EFA-status indicators showed similar negative associations, whereas eicosatrienoic acid concentrations were positively related to neonatal size. In maternal plasma, proportions of n-3 long-chain polyenes (LCPs) and n-6 LCPs decreased during pregnancy. Larger decreases in AA, DHA, n-3 LCP, and n-6 LCP fractions were observed in mothers of heavier babies. Higher concentrations of LCPs in maternal plasma were, however, not related to a larger infant size at birth. CONCLUSIONS: A lower biochemical EFA status in umbilical cord plasma and a larger decrease in maternal plasma LCP concentrations are associated with a higher weight-for-gestational-age at birth in term neonates. Our findings do not support a growth-stimulating effect of AA or DHA; however, they do suggest that maternal-to-fetal transfer of EFAs might be a limiting factor in determining neonatal EFA status.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)797-806
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume73
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2001

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