title: Benefits and risks of modifying maternal fat intake in pregnancy and lactation.
abstract: The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that healthy Americans aged > 2 y reduce energy intake to maintain ideal body weight, saturated fat to 10% of energy, fat intake to 30% of energy, and cholesterol consumption to < 300 mg/d. Although these guidelines exclude pregnant or lactating women, nursing infants, and very young children, women with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and familial hyperlipidemias may benefit from them. In a normal pregnancy, serum cholesterol and triglycerides rise 25-40% and 200-400%, respectively. Multiparous middle-aged women may have an increased incidence of angina and cholesterol gallstones from the hypercholesterolemia of pregnancy. Few studies support the safety of maternal low-fat diets for the developing fetus or demonstrate benefits to the mother. Polyunsaturated fatty acids lower serum lipids, and n-3 fatty acids may improve some obstetric complications. Arachidonic acid (20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) may benefit the psychomotor and visual development of children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hachey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000178:diet therapy; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006950:Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / Q000178:diet therapy; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000178:diet therapy; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000178:diet therapy; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000178:diet therapy
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats