DHA in Pregnant and Lactating Women from Coastland, Lakeland, and Inland Areas of China: Results of a DHA Evaluation in Women (DEW) Study.
Few studies have examined docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in pregnant and lactating women in developing countries like China, where DHA-enriched supplements are increasingly popular. We aimed to assess the DHA status among Chinese pregnant and lactating women residing areas differing in the availability of aquatic products. In total, 1211 women in mid-pregnancy (17 ± 2 weeks), late pregnancy (39 ± 2 weeks), or lactation (42 ± 7 days) were enrolled from Weihai (coastland), Yueyang (lakeland), and Baotou (inland) city, with approximately 135 women in each participant group by region. DHA concentrations were measured using capillary gas chromatography, and are reported as weight percent of total fatty acids. Mean plasma DHA concentrations were higher in coastland (mid-pregnancy 3.19%, late pregnancy 2.54%, lactation 2.24%) and lakeland women (2.45%, 1.95%, 2.26%) than inland women (2.25%, 1.67%, 1.68%) (p values < 0.001). Similar differences were observed for erythrocyte DHA. We conclude that DHA concentrations of Chinese pregnant and lactating women are higher in coastland and lakeland regions than in inland areas. DHA status in the study population appears to be stronger than populations from other countries studied to date.
Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liyou@pku.edu.cn.|Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liyou@pku.edu.cn.
You
Y
Li
Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liht@bjmu.edu.cn.|Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liht@bjmu.edu.cn.
Hong-Tian
HT
Li
Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, 227 East 30th Street, Room 735, New York, NY 10016, USA. Leonardo.Trasande@nyumc.org.
Leonardo
L
Trasande
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical School, 41 Linyin Rd, Baotou 014000, China. byyfygh2010@163.com.
Hua
H
Ge
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Weihai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 51 Guangming Rd, Weihai 264200, China. whyulixia@126.com.
Li-Xia
LX
Yu
Department of Pediatrics, Yueyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 693 Baling Middle Rd, Yueyang 414000, China. xugaosheng0414@163.com.
Gao-Sheng
GS
Xu
Wyeth Nutrition Science Center, 582 Wuzhong Rd, Shanghai 201103, China. Manxi.Bai@wyethnutrition.com.
Man-Xi
MX
Bai
Institute of Reproductive and Child Health/Ministry of Health Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liujm@pku.edu.cn.|Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, China. liujm@pku.edu.cn.
Jian-Meng
JM
Liu
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D060106:Lakes; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D017747:Seafood; D055815:Young Adult
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
correlation; docosahexaenoic acid; erythrocyte; lactating women; plasma; pregnant women