title: Maternal LC-PUFA status during pregnancy and child problem behavior: the Generation R Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Omega 3 (n-3) and 6 (n-6) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and the n-3:n-6 ratio are important for brain development. Whether maternal LC-PUFA status during pregnancy affects risk of problem behavior in later childhood is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within a population-based cohort, we measured maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (AA) concentrations and n-3:n-6-ratio in mid-pregnancy. Child emotional and behavioral problems at 6 y of age were assessed by parents (child behavior checklist), teachers (teacher report form), and combined parent/teacher report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher maternal DHA and n-3:n-6 ratio were associated with fewer child emotional problems using parent (odds ratio (OR)DHA = 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70, 0.96; P = 0.02 and OR(n-3:n-6) = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.96; P = 0.01; n = 5,307) and combined parent/teacher scores (ORDHA = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.95; P = 0.01 and OR(n-3:n-6) = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.92; P < 0.01; n = 2,828). Higher AA was associated with more child behavioral problems using teacher (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.20; P = 0.04; n = 3,365) and combined parent/teacher scores (OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22; P = 0.02; n = 2,827). Maternal EPA was not associated with child problem behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indications of associations of maternal LC-PUFA status with child emotional and behavioral problems were found. Future research is needed to identify LC-PUFA-sensitive periods of fetal brain development by including multiple assessments of prenatal LC-PUFA status.
authors.affiliation: 1] The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jolien C J
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Steenweg-de Graaff
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [3] Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.affiliation: 1] The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maartje G J
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Basten
authors.affiliation: 1] The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jolien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rijlaarsdam
authors.affiliation: Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demmelmair
authors.affiliation: Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.affiliation: 1] The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [3] Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sabine J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Roza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid