Docosahexaenoic Acid Status in Pregnancy Determines the Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Status 3-, 6- and 12 Months Postpartum. Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study.
BACKGROUND
Essential fatty acid status as well as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) declines during pregnancy and lactation. As a result, the DHA status may not be optimal for child development and may increase the risk for maternal postpartum depression. The objective of this study was to assess changes in the maternal fatty acid status from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum, and to study the impact of seafood consumption on the individual fatty acid status.


METHODS
Blood samples and seafood consumption habits (gestation week 28, and three-, six- and 12 months postpartum) were collected in a longitudinal observational study of pregnant and postpartum women (n = 118). Multilevel linear modeling was used to assess both changes over time in the fatty acid status of red blood cells (RBC), and in the seafood consumption.


RESULTS
Six fatty acids varied the most (>80%) across the four time points analyzed, including the derivative of the essential α-linoleic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), DHA; the essential linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6); and the LA derivative, arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6). Over all, a large variation in individuals' DHA- and AA status was observed; however, over the 15-month study period only small inter-individual differences in the longitudinal trajectory of DHA- and AA abundance in the RBC were detected. The median intake of seafood was lower than recommended. Regardless, the total weekly frequency of seafood and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3)/DHA-supplement intake predicted the maternal level of DHA (μg/g RBC).


CONCLUSIONS
The period of depletion of the maternal DHA status during pregnancy and lactation, seem to turn to repletion from about six months postpartum towards one year after childbirth, irrespective of RBC concentration of DHA during pregnancy. Seafood and EPA/DHA-supplement intake predicted the DHA levels over time.


BACKGROUND
www.helseforskning.etikkom.no 2009/570/REC, project number: 083.09.
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway; The Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Maria Wik
MW
Markhus
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway.
Josef Daniel
JD
Rasinger
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway.
Marian Kjellevold
MK
Malde
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway.
Livar
L
Frøyland
Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
Siv
S
Skotheim
Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
Hanne Cecilie
HC
Braarud
Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
Kjell Morten
KM
Stormark
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway.
Ingvild Eide
IE
Graff
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D017747:Seafood
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential