Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for normal brain growth and cognitive development. Seafood and dietary supplements are the primary dietary sources of DHA. This study addresses the associations between DHA status in pregnant women and healthy, term-born infant problem-solving skills assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. The fatty acid status of maternal red blood cells (RBCs) was assessed in the 28th week of gestation and at three months postpartum. The infants’ fatty acid status (RBC) was assessed at three, six, and twelve months, and problem-solving skills were assessed at six and twelve months. Maternal DHA status in pregnancy was found to be positively associated with infants’ problem-solving skills at 12 months. This association remained significant even after controlling for the level of maternal education, a surrogate for socio-economic status. The infants’ DHA status at three months was associated with the infants’ problem solving at 12 months. The results accentuate the importance for pregnant and lactating women to have a satisfactory DHA status from dietary intake of seafood or other sources rich in DHA.
Highlights
The brain undergoes a rapid growth spurt during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first years of life
The associations between maternal DHA status and infant development found in this study are in line with the results from other studies [21,44,45,46], Jasani et al [27] found that most studies on Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) supplementation in healthy, full-term infants had limited impact on infant cognitive development
The present study indicates that the fatty acid composition of the membrane in circulating red blood cells (RBCs) during pregnancy is associated with later problem-solving skills
Summary
The brain undergoes a rapid growth spurt during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first years of life. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4, n-6) are important for normal brain functions [1], the development of visual and neural tissues [2,3,4], and subsequently motor and cognitive development [5]. Adequate levels of DHA and AA are important for pregnant and lactating women, and for infants [6]. Modern diets contain increased n-6/n-3 ratios (10–25:1), which may influence the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on human metabolism [7].
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