Association between Fish and Seafood Consumption and DHA Levels in Cord Blood and Breast Milk in Taiwan

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n3), a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), has positive effects in neural and visual function development in early life. It is important for developing fetus to obtain DHA through preferential placental transfer during prenatal period and later via breast milk. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between third trimester maternal intake of fish and seafood products and n‐3 LCPUFA in cord blood and breast milk. Further, we assessed the relationship between cord blood‐ and breast milk n‐3 LCPUFA. Using multivariate analysis, freshwater and marine fish intakes significantly correlated with cord blood DHA (p<0.05), and marginally associated with breast milk DHA (freshwater: p=0.065; marine: p=0.057). Additionally, processed fish products correlated with breast milk DHA (p=0.022), and shellfish with cord blood DHA (p=0.015). Furthermore, DHA (p=0.063) and n‐3 LCPUFA (p=0.029) levels in cord blood and breast milk were positively associated. Our results support that beneficial effects of consuming seafood and marine products may increase DHA transfer during pre‐ and postnatal period. Therefore, seafood and marine products consumption should be encouraged during pregnancy and lactation.