Abstract
The prenatal environment, including availability of critical nutrients, has a profound impact on offspring development. The present study examined the association between maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) status during pregnancy and later child behavioral problems at the age of 5-6 years. In light of evidence of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation in some behavioral problems, study further tested if the above association is statistically mediated by cardiac ANS activity. Data was collected as part of the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development-study and complete data were available for 1717 mothers and their offspring. Maternal LC-PUFA status was assessed during early pregnancy (mean gestation=12.7, SD=2.5 weeks) and quantified as levels of docosahexenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids. Child emotional problems and peer problems (internalizing problems), as well as conduct problems and inattention/hyperactivity (externalizing problems), were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire as rated by the mother and teacher at 5-6 years. Child cardiac respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), pre-ejection period (PEP), and heart rate (HR) were utilized as measures of ANS activity at 5-6 years. The results confirmed an association between maternal LC-PUFA status and internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother, as shown for DHA (β=-0.11;p<0.01), EPA (β=-0.22;p<0.05), and n-6:n-3 LC-PUFA (β=0.17;p<0.01). Statistical mediation was only demonstrated for HR. No associations were observed between LC-PUFA status and externalizing behavioral problems. The present results are consistent with a role of maternal LC-PUFA status in internalizing behavioral problems as rated by the mother. These results were not observed when problem behavior was rated by the teacher. Analyses did not yield strong evidence supporting ANS activity as a possible mediator in this relationship.
Highlights
Of the 1717 women included in the analyses, 57.5% were nullipara, 21.2% were overweight or obese according to the WHO criteria [35] at the start of pregnancy, 70.2% were of Dutch origin, and 8.9% experienced a high amount of anxiety during pregnancy defined as a STAI score >51
Pre-pregnancy BMI, educational level, ethnic background, alcohol consumption during pregnancy and parity were significantly associated with most longchain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA)
The present study examined autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity as a possible mediator in the association between maternal LC-PUFA status and problem behavior in the offspring
Summary
Epidemiological studies show a link between higher maternal LC-PUFA status during pregnancy and higher memory performance, and learning abilities in the offspring, as measured during infancy and childhood [3,4] Trial data further show that perinatal LC-PUFAs supplementation of the mother is associated with improvements on tests of global neurodevelopment in their children [5] and with reduced learning disabilities or behavioral problems [6]. A study on cardiac health in children found that unmedicated children diagnosed with ADHD have a decreased parasympathetic/vagal tone (assessed as heart rate variability (HRV)) and elevated heart rate (HR) compared to healthy controls [18] Such data are in line with a much larger literature base suggesting that altered activity of the ANS is a marker of vulnerability to psychopathology [13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
