Abstract
Background: There are few studies that look at the intake of all types of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) during the different stages of pregnancy along with a long-term neuropsychological follow-up of the child. This study aims to explore the association between maternal n-3 PUFA intake during two periods of pregnancy and the child’s neuropsychological scores at different ages. Methods: Prospective data were obtained for 2644 pregnant women recruited between 2004 and 2008 in population-based birth cohorts in Spain. Maternal n-3 PUFA intake during the first and third trimester of pregnancy was estimated using validated food frequency questionnaires. Child neuropsychological functions were assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development version one (BSID) at 1 year old, the McCarthy Scale of Children’s Abilities (MSCA) at 4 years old, and the Attention Network Test (ANT) at 7 years old. Data were analysed using multivariate linear regression models and adjusted for potential covariates, such as maternal social class, education, cohort location, alcohol consumption, smoking, breastfeeding duration, and energy intake. Results: Compared to participants in the lowest quartile (<1.262 g/day) of n-3 PUFA consumption during the first trimester, those in the highest quartile (>1.657 g/day) had a 2.26 points (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41, 4.11) higher MSCA general cognitive score, a 2.48 points (95% CI: 0.53, 4.43) higher MSCA verbal score, and a 2.06 points (95% CI: 0.166, 3.95) higher MSCA executive function score, and a 11.52 milliseconds (95% CI: −22.95, −0.09) lower ANT hit reaction time standard error. In the third pregnancy trimester, the associations were weaker. Conclusions: Positive associations between n-3 PUFA intake during early pregnancy and child neuropsychological functions at 4 and 7 years of age were found, and further clinical research is needed to confirm these findings.
Highlights
One of the most important objectives in public health is to improve nutrition during pregnancy, and this has been addressed in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2025 Global Nutrition Targets, which recognize that better nutrition is essential in the steps towards better global health [1,2]
The n-3 PUFA intake was higher amongst women who were older, had a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, were born in Spain, and had a higher level of education and social class
Both trimesters showed similar patterns, with higher n-3 PUFA intakes in those mothers with more social advantages and healthier lifestyles
Summary
One of the most important objectives in public health is to improve nutrition during pregnancy, and this has been addressed in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2025 Global Nutrition Targets, which recognize that better nutrition is essential in the steps towards better global health [1,2]. One recommendation that has been of growing interest is the provision of an adequate intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). This type of PUFA is found in three forms: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Food sources of ALA include nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils It can be converted in the body into the form of EPA and DHA. There are few studies that look at the intake of all types of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) during the different stages of pregnancy along with a long-term neuropsychological follow-up of the child. Results: Compared to participants in the lowest quartile (1.657 g/day) had a 2.26 points (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41, 4.11)
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