Fatty acid profile of pregnant women with asthma

Abstract

Summary Background & aims One of the most prevalent complications of pregnancy is asthma which is associated with an increased incidence of intrauterine growth restriction. The mechanisms that affect fetal development in pregnancies complicated by asthma are not clearly defined. Dietary fatty acids (FA) especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are particularly important during pregnancy due to their role in fetal growth and development. Dietary PUFAs also have a role in clinical outcomes for non-pregnant asthmatics. The current study was designed to characterize the fatty acid profile in pregnant women with asthma to determine whether asthma severity or reduced fetal growth were associated with an altered FA profile. Methods Maternal dietary intake and plasma fatty acid profile were examined in women with and without asthma at 18, 30 and 36 weeks gestation. Maternal fatty acids levels were related to measures of fetal growth using Doppler ultrasound and birth outcomes. Results The data found that pregnant women with moderate/severe asthma had increased circulating plasma fatty acid levels at 36 weeks gestation but reduced dietary intake of fats compared to those women with mild asthma and healthy pregnant controls. In addition, women with moderate/severe asthma had increased circulating n-3PUFA levels at 36 weeks gestation which was associated with reduced fetal and neonatal head circumference. Conclusion These observations suggest moderate/severe asthma may disrupt lipid metabolism, transport or cellular uptake during pregnancy which subsequently contributes to reduced fetal growth.