title: Maternal plasma phosphatidylcholine fatty acids and atopy and wheeze in the offspring at age of 6 years.
abstract: Variation in exposure to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might influence the development of atopy, asthma, and wheeze. This study aimed to determine whether differences in PUFA concentrations in maternal plasma phosphatidylcholine are associated with the risk of childhood wheeze or atopy. For 865 term-born children, we measured phosphatidylcholine fatty acid composition in maternal plasma collected at 34 weeks' gestation. Wheezing was classified using questionnaires at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months and 6 years. At age of 6 years, the children underwent skin prick testing, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurement, and spirometry. Maternal n-6 fatty acids and the ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids were not associated with childhood wheeze. However, higher maternal eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total n-3 fatty acids were associated with reduced risk of non-atopic persistent/late wheeze (RR 0.57, 0.67 and 0.69, resp. P = 0.01, 0.015, and 0.021, resp.). Maternal arachidonic acid was positively associated with FENO (P = 0.024). A higher ratio of linoleic acid to its unsaturated metabolic products was associated with reduced risk of skin sensitisation (RR 0.82, P = 0.013). These associations provide some support for the hypothesis that variation in exposure to n-6 and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy influences the risk of childhood wheeze and atopy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton S016 6YD, UK.
authors.forename: Katharine C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Hazel M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Inskip
authors.forename: Sian M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Graham C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Godfrey
authors.forename: Jane S A
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines