The Impact of Maternal Dietary N-3 Fatty Acids Upon Blood Levels of Docosahexaenoic Acid in the Newborn and Breast-Fed Infant

Abstract

The importance of the maternal diet in infant nutrition is well established. Less well understood is the vital role of maternal dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and other n-3 fatty acids in the optimal development of the fetus and the breast-fed infant. DHA is a vital component of the phospholipid membrane of the brain, retina and spermatozoa. Another n-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) is involved in prostaglandin metabolism. This study compares the effects of long chain fatty acids (DHA and EPA) in the maternal diet upon their levels in the blood of the newborn baby and the infant. Twenty-nine women were recruited during the third trimester of pregnancy. Maternal intake of n-3 fatty acids was assessed during pregnancy, at 2, 4 and 12 months post partum and twice post lactation. Maternal blood was collected during the third trimester, at delivery, 2, 4 and 12 months post partum and twice post lactation. Maternal and cord blood were obtained at delivery; breast milk and infant blood were collected at 2, 4 and 12 months post partum. Women consumed their typical diets throughout the study. Significant correlations occurred between maternal and infant blood and milk. Maternal plasma DHA correlated with milk DHA at 2 and 12 months (r=0.71; P<0.001 and r=0.77; 0.03, respectively). Also, at 2 months infant plasma DHA correlated with milk DHA (r=0.69; P<0.001). At 12 months, maternal plasma EPA correlated with milk EPA (P<0.001). Only one significant correlation was found between maternal diet and maternal blood n-3 fatty acids. Maternal dietary EPA and plasma EPA were correlated at 2 months (r=0.45; p=0.02). No significant correlations were found between maternal diet and infant blood. At 4 months. maternal and infant red blood cells were significantly correlated for DHA (r=0.50; p=0.03) and EPA (r<0.52; p=0.02). These data indicate there is a relationship between the n-3 long chain fatty acids in the maternal diet and the levels of these fatty acids in maternal and infant blood and breast milk from birth to 12 months.