Maternal erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and plasma lipid concentrations, are associated with habitual dietary fish consumption in early pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the relationship between selected maternal erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and plasma lipids in early pregnancy and reported habitual fish consumption during the periconceptional period.


METHODS
This cohort study included 923 pregnant women who reported periconceptional dietary habits and provided a blood sample before 20 weeks of gestation. PUFA was determined by gas chromatography and plasma lipids by standard enzymatic methods. Differences in erythrocyte PUFA and plasma lipid concentrations were estimated using linear regression.


RESULTS
Mean erythrocyte eicosapentanoic acid and other PUFA content (%/total) were positively associated with frequency of self-reported fish consumption. Arachidonic acid was inversely related with frequent fish consumption (p trend <0.001). Women who consumed fish >twice/week had lower plasma triglyceride (-11.5 mg/dl) and higher HDL-cholesterol (+2.8 mg/dl) concentrations than women consuming fish <once/week.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support findings of inverse relation between fish consumption and preeclampsia risk.
Williams
Michelle A
MA
Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98122, USA. Mwilliam@u.washington.edu
Frederick
Ihunnaya O
IO
Qiu
Chunfang
C
Meryman
Lois J
LJ
King
Irena B
IB
Walsh
Scott W
SW
Sorensen
Tanya K
TK
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014861:Washington
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D008055:Lipids