title: Maternal Fatty Acid Status During Pregnancy and Child Autistic Traits: The Generation R Study.
abstract: ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for brain function and development. We examined whether maternal polyunsaturated fatty acid status during pregnancy affects risk of autistic traits in childhood. Within the Generation R cohort, we measured maternal plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations and the ω-3:ω-6 ratio in midpregnancy (Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2001-2005). Child autistic traits at 6 years were assessed by using the Social Responsiveness Scale short form in 4,624 children. A lower maternal ω-3:ω-6 ratio during pregnancy was associated with more autistic traits in the offspring (β = -0.008, 95% confidence interval: -0.016, -0.001). In particular, a higher total ω-6 and linoleic acid status were associated with more autistic traits (all P's < 0.05). Associations were independent of child intelligence, suggesting that the fatty acid distribution specifically affects the development of autistic traits in addition to general neurodevelopment. Maternal plasma ω-3 status was not associated with child autistic traits and, consistently, neither was prenatal dietary fish intake. Our study shows that a lower prenatal ω-3:ω-6 ratio is associated with more child autistic traits, which is largely accounted for by higher ω-6 instead of lower ω-3 status. These results suggest a biological pathway between maternal fatty acid intake during pregnancy and autistic traits in the offspring.
authors.forename: Jolien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steenweg-de Graaff
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.forename: Akhgar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghassabian
authors.forename: Jolien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rijlaarsdam
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.forename: Sabine J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Roza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D009426:Netherlands; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6
keywords: autistic traits; child; polyunsaturated fatty acids; pregnancy; ω-3:ω-6 fatty acid ratio