Higher omega-3 index and DHA status in pregnant women compared to lactating women - Results from a German nation-wide cross-sectional study.
Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids
; 109: 22-8, 2016 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27269710
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant (≥27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty acid).RESULTS:
The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23±1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p≤0.001) higher omega-3 index values (6.40±1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91±1.23%) than lactating women (omega-3 index 5.50±1.34%; DHA 4.79±1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73±1.28%) vs. women without supplementation (6.04±1.39%, p≤0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index.CONCLUSION:
Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3 index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Lactação
/
Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3
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Ácido Eicosapentaenoico
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Ácidos Docosa-Hexaenoicos
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Pregnancy
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article