- Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation on infant health outcomes
Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation on infant health outcomes
PERINATOLOGIYA I PEDIATRIYA.2015.4(64):10-14; doi 10.15574/PP.2015.64.10
Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation on infant health outcomes
Marushko R. V
SI «Institute of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology of National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine», Kyiv
Background. The incidence of inflammatory and allergic diseases in the developed countries has increased significantly over the past two decades. One of the possible explanations of the observed increase involves the concurrent change in Western diet from a relative balance between anti-inflammatory omega-3 long chain poliunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFA) and pro-inflammatory omega-6 LC PUFA, to a diet in which n-6 PUFA are in vast majority predominant. Maternal supplementation with omega-3 LC PUFA may modulate immune responses and incidence of morbidity in neonates and children.
Objective: to assess whether supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation reduces the incidence of respiratory illnesses, functional intestinal disorders and allergic reactions in infants.
Methods. In this paper was conducted a retrospective servey of women whose children were at the age of one year at the time. Elaborated questionnaires were filled in by pediatricians throughout their daily working hours while attending the patients. The assessment of morbidity (acute respiratory diseases, functional intestinal disorders and atopic reactins) was carried out. Laboratory tests of infant immunity (content of IgA, IgG and IgM by immunological methods) and fatty acid methabolism detection of omega-3 poliunsaturated fatty acids — docosahexaenic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenic acids (EPA) and omega-6 poliunsaturated fatty acid — arachidonic acid (AA) by gas chromatographic analysis in blood serum of children were done. The outcomes of the study were analysed and processed using statistical methods.
Results. Results of findings indicate on higher incidence of acute respiratory tract and atopic diseases as well as functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in infants whose mothers did not use seafood (omega-3 poliunsaturated fatty acids) in their diets during the pregnancy and breastfeeding. The research of immunity of infants showed no difference in concentration of IgG and IgM (p>0.05), but significant difference for IgA concentrations in blood serum. In infants whose mothers consumed omega-3 poliunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy and postnatally the concentration of IgA was higher compared to opposite group. The fatty acid composition of the blood serum showed changes in the content of the main representatives of omega-3 poliunsaturated fatty acids and omega-6 poliunsaturated fatty acids. The concentrations of both DHA and EPA were higer while the content of AA was lower in the group of infants whose mothers intake seafood during pregnancy and postnatally. Significant differences were observed for DHA and AA (p<0.05).
Conclusions. This study demonstrated advantages of consumption of omega-3 poliunsaturated fatty acids by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding in preventing the morbidity as well as the influence health status and development of their children in early life.
Key words: infants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, seafood, immunity, morbidity.
REFERENCES
1. Abedi E, Sahari MA. 2014. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid sources and evaluation of their nutritional and functional properties. Food Sci Nutr. 2;5: 443—446.
2. Brenna JT, Salem JN, Sinclair AJ, Cunnane SC. 2009. Alpha-linolenic acid supplementation and conversion to n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in humans. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fat Acids. 80: 85—91.
3. Kremmyda LS, Vlachava M, Noakes PS et al. 2011. Atopy risk in infants and children in relation to early exposure to fish, oily fish, or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids: a systematic review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 41: 36—66.
4. Bobinski R, Mikulska M. 2015. The ins and outs of maternal-fetal fatty acid metabolism. Acta Biochim Pol. 62; 3: 499—507.
5. Calder PC. 2013. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Nutrition or pharmacology. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 75; 3: 645—662.
6. Candela CG, Lopez LMB, Kohen VL. 2011.Importance of a balanced omega 6/omega 3 ratio for the maintenance of health. Nutritional recommendations. Nutr Hosp. 26; 2: 323—329.
7. Duttaroy AK. 2011. Transport of fatty acids across the human placenta: a review. Prog Lipid Res. 48; 1: 52—61.
8. Gil A, Gil F. 2015. Fish, a Mediterranean source of n-3 PUFA: benefits do not justify limiting consumption. Br J Nutr. 113; Suppl 2: 58—67.
9. Hadders-Algra M. 2011. Prenatal and early postnatal supplementation with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: neurodevelopmental considerations. Am J Clin Nutr. 94; 6; Suppl: 1874—1879.
10. Sijben JW, Goedhart AC, Kamphuis PJ et al. 2011.Is it prudent to add n 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to paediatric enteral tube feeding? Clin Nutr. 30; 3: 273—281.
11. Kozyrskyj AL, Bahreinian S, Azad MB. 2011. Early life exposures: impact on asthma and allergic disease. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 11; 5: 400—406.
12. Abedi E, Sahari MA. 2014. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid sources and evaluation of their nutritional and functional properties. Food Sci Nutr. 2; 5: 443—446.
13. Mantis NJ, Rol N, Corthesy B. 2011. Secretory IgA's complex roles in immunity and mucosal homeostasis in the gut. Mucosal Immunology. 4: 603—611
14. Marion-Letellier R, Savoye G, Ghosh S. 2015. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation. IUBMB Life. 67; 9: 659—667.
15. Muc M, Kreiner-Muller E, Larsen JM et al. 2015. Maternal fatty acid desaturase genotype correlates with infant immune responses at 6 months. Br J Nutr. 114; 6: 891—898.
16. Boucher O, Burden MJ, Muckle G et al. 2011. Neurophysiologic and neurobehavioral evidence of beneficial effects of prenatal omega-3 fatty acid intake on memory function at school age. Am J Clin Nutr. 93; 5: 1025—1037.
17. Gonzalez-Rodri guez LG, Aparicio A, Lopez-Sobaler AM, Ortega RM. 2013. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids intake and dietary sources in a representative sample of Spanish adults. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 83; 1: 36—47.