title: Red blood cell n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first trimester of pregnancy are inversely associated with placental weight.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate pregnancy outcome in relation to red blood cell (RBC) level of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the first trimester of pregnancy and the influence of lifestyle factors on the RBC level of long-chain n-3 PUFA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven healthy pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PUFA composition of RBC was measured in the 11th to 15th week of pregnancy. The women answered food frequency and lifestyle questionnaires. Information on pregnancy outcome was collected from birth records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placental weight, long-chain n-3 PUFA in diet and RBC, smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all the pregnancy outcome variables tested, placental weight was the only one associated with long-chain n-3 PUFA in RBC. Inverse association was found between the proportion of long-chain n-3 PUFA in RBC and placental weight, adjusted for birthweight (p=0.035). The proportion of long-chain n-3 PUFA in RBC was positively related to long-chain n-3 PUFA intake (p<0.001) and negatively related to smoking (p=0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The human fetus relies on maternal supply and placental delivery of long-chain n-3 PUFA for optimal development and function, particularly of the central nervous system. Given the importance of dietary n-3 PUFA during pregnancy, further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between placental weight, maternal long-chain n-3 PUFA status and smoking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Magnusardottir
authors.forename: Laufey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steingrimsdottir
authors.forename: Holmfridur
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thorgeirsdottir
authors.forename: Arnar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauksson
authors.forename: Gudrun V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Skuladottir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3