Influence of fatty fish intake during pregnancy in the polyunsaturated fatty acids of erythrocyte phospholipids in the mother at labor and newborn infant.
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.
Sanjurjo
P
P
Department of Pediatrics, Cruces Hospital, País Vasco University, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain.
Matorras
R
R
Perteagudo
L
L
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
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