title: Influence of fatty fish intake during pregnancy in the polyunsaturated fatty acids of erythrocyte phospholipids in the mother at labor and newborn infant.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Cruces Hospital, País Vasco University, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanjurjo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matorras
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perteagudo
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007258:Informed Consent; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D010743:Phospholipids; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid