Fatty Acid Composition of a Maternal Diet and Erythrocyte Phospholipid Status in Latvian Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dietary fats are essential for maternal and fetal health. Fatty acids (FAs) in erythrocytes characterize the FA profile, which is influenced by diet and other factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the main FAs in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and their influencing factors-dietary fat and supplement intake and lifestyle factors-in Latvian pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 236 pregnant and postpartum women. The data were collected from medical documentation, a food frequency questionnaire, and a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, health status, and nutritional habits in outpatient clinics and maternity departments. FAs in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were determined using gas chromatography. RESULTS: Correlations were found between dietary SFAs and erythrocyte SFAs (r = -0.140, p = 0.032) and PUFAs (r = 0.167, p = 0.01) and between dietary PUFAs and erythrocyte MUFAs (r = -0.143, p = 0.028). Dietary SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs positively correlated with the studied n-3 and n-6 FAs in erythrocytes. Vitamin D correlated positively with MUFA and negatively with total PUFA and AA in erythrocytes. There was a negative correlation between dietary vitamin A and linoleic acid in erythrocytes. Physical activity negatively correlated with erythrocyte MUFAs and positively with erythrocyte PUFAs. Alcohol consumption positively correlated with erythrocyte SFAs and negatively with erythrocyte PUFAs. CONCLUSIONS: There are indications that some dietary FAs may be correlated with erythrocyte FAs. Possible influencing factors for this association are alcohol, physical activity, vitamin D, and vitamin A.

Vitamin D Intake and Serum Levels in Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

Maternal vitamin D deficiency, which is highly prevalent in pregnant women in Europe, is linked to adverse health effects for both the mother and child. The objective was to assess vitamin D status in pregnant women by evaluating their dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake, serum vitamin D levels, parathyroid hormone levels, and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study, with a total of 735 participants (145 pregnant and 590 up to the seventh day postpartum), took place in Latvia. Blood samples, a food frequency questionnaire, and medical documentation were used for data collection. The median serum vitamin D concentration was 34.0 ng/mL, with pregnant women having higher levels (42.9 ng/mL) than postpartum women (31.8 ng/mL). There was no association between vitamin D serum concentration and dietary intake of vitamin D (p > 0.05), whereas there was a significant correlation with use of vitamin D supplements (r = 0.41; p < 0.001 in pregnant women and r = 0.35; p < 0.001 in postpartum women). This study demonstrated that a minority of pregnant women (21.9%) had optimal serum vitamin D concentration (>45 ng/mL), and diet had no significant impact on vitamin D levels. Thus, our proposed recommendation for vitamin D intake during pregnancy was 63 mcg (2500 IU) year-round for optimal levels in pregnant women in Northeastern Europe.