Lower fetal status of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid and essential fatty acids is associated with less favorable neonatal neurological condition.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, notably arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are abundant in brain and may be conditionally essential in fetal life. We investigated umbilical artery (UA) and vein (UV) fatty acid compositions and early neonatal neurological condition in 317 term infants. Neurological condition was summarized as a clinical classification and a 'neurological optimality score' (NOS). Neurologically abnormal infants (n=27) had lower UV DHA and essential fatty acid (EFA) status. NOS correlated positively with AA (UV), and EFA (UV) and DHA status (UV and UA) and negatively with 18:2omega6 and omega9 (UV), and 20:3omega9, omega7 and C18 trans fatty acids (UV and UA). UV DHA, AA, saturated fatty acids, gestational age and obstetrical optimality score explained 16.2% of the NOS variance. Early postnatal neurological condition seems negatively influenced by lower fetal DHA, AA and EFA status. C18 trans fatty acids and 18:2omega6 may exert negative effects by impairment of LCP status.
Dijck-Brouwer
D A Janneke
DA
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Groningen (DAJD-B, FAJM), Hanzeplein 1, 9714 GZ Gronigen, The Netherlands. d.a.j.brouwer@lc.azg.nl
Hadders-Algra
Mijna
M
Bouwstra
Hylco
H
Decsi
Tamás
T
Boehm
Günther
G
Martini
Ingrid A
IA
Boersma
E Rudy
ER
Muskiet
Frits A J
FA
D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000737:chemistry; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000737:chemistry*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000737:chemistry
D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid