Effect of reducing the n-6:n-3 long-chain PUFA ratio during pregnancy and lactation on infant adipose tissue growth within the first year of life: an open-label randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The composition of long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs) in the maternal diet may affect obesity risk in the mother's offspring.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that a reduction in the n-6 (omega-6):n-3 (omega-3) LCPUFA ratio in the diet of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers may prevent expansive adipose tissue growth in their infants during the first year of life.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled trial, 208 healthy pregnant women were randomly assigned to an intervention (1200 mg n-3 LCPUFAs as a supplement per day and a concomitant reduction in arachidonic acid intake) or a control diet from the 15th wk of pregnancy to 4 mo of lactation. The primary outcome was infant fat mass estimated by skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements at 4 body sites at 3-5 d, 6 wk, and 4 and 12 mo postpartum. Secondary endpoints included sonographic assessment of abdominal subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat, fat distribution, and child growth.


RESULTS
Infants did not differ in the sum of their 4 SFTs at ≤1 y of life [intervention: 24.1 ± 4.4 mm (n = 85); control: 24.1 ± 4.1 mm (n = 80); mean difference: -0.0 mm (95% CI: -1.3, 1.3 mm)] or in growth. Likewise, longitudinal ultrasonography showed no significant differences in abdominal fat mass or fat distribution.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed no evidence that supplementation with n-3 fatty acids and instructions to reduce arachidonic acid intake during pregnancy and lactation relevantly affects fat mass in offspring during the first year of life. Prospective long-term studies are needed to explore the efficacy of this dietary approach for primary prevention. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00362089.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. hauner@wzw.tum.de
Hans
H
Hauner
Daniela
D
Much
Christiane
C
Vollhardt
Stefanie
S
Brunner
Daniela
D
Schmid
Eva-Maria
EM
Sedlmeier
Ellen
E
Heimberg
Tibor
T
Schuster
Andrea
A
Zimmermann
Karl-Theo M
KT
Schneider
Bernhard L
BL
Bader
Ulrike
U
Amann-Gassner
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D016718:Arachidonic Acid