Reduced docosahexaenoic acid synthesis may contribute to growth restriction in infants born to mothers who smoke.
In newborn infants, progressive decrease in anthropometric values and impairment of the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status was associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy, with a parallel increase of the metabolic precursor of DHA, alpha-linolenic acid. Maternal smoking may impair DHA synthesis which may contribute to reduced fetal growth.
Agostoni
Carlo
C
Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. carlo.agostoni@unimi.it
Galli
Claudio
C
Riva
Enrica
E
Colombo
Claudio
C
Giovannini
Marcello
M
Marangoni
Franca
F
D000886:Anthropometry; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids