Fatty Acid Composition of the Erythrocyte Membranes Varies between Early-Term, Full-Term, and Late-Term Infants in Japan

Abstract

Background: Term infants can be categorized into 3 sub-groups: early term (37w0d to 38w6d), full term (39w0d to 40w6d), and late term (41w0d and beyond). However, the fatty acid composition among the 3 groups of term infants has not been investigated. The association between fatty acid composition and gestational period of term infants in Japan is unclear. Methods: We assessed the fatty acid composition of maternal erythrocyte membranes in the third trimester and of cord erythrocyte membranes at birth in 212 healthy term Japanese infants using data from a prospective hospital-based cohort study. Results: In maternal erythrocyte membranes, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and omega-3 index were significantly higher in the late-term group than in the early-term group. In cord erythrocyte membranes, DHA levels were not significantly different between the 3 groups; late-term infants showed significantly higher DHA/arachidonic acid (ARA) and lower 20: 3n-6 and ARA levels compared to early-term infants. Gestational period positively correlated with the DHA status in maternal and cord erythrocyte membranes. Conclusions: Fatty acid composition in maternal and cord erythrocyte membranes varies between early-, full-, and late-term infants, and the greater gestational period may contribute to the relatively high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids status in term infants. Furthermore, maternal DHA status in the third semester directly correlates with gestational period in pregnant Japanese women.

Alteration of erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns with retinopathy of prematurity

“…A recent study on African Americans showed that a higher maternal erythrocyte membrane AA to DHA ratio was associated to an increased risk of preterm birth 43 . In a Japanese population, the length of gestational period positively correlated with DHA concentrations in maternal erythrocyte membranes 44 . DHA levels in erythrocytes was shown to range between 5.5 and 5.8% of total fatty acids in mothers who delivered nearly full-term and full term infants (38 to 40 weeks GA) 44,45 , and was shown to be reduced to until 2.5% of total fatty acids in mothers of 33 weeks-GA preterm infants 43 .…”

“…In a Japanese population, the length of gestational period positively correlated with DHA concentrations in maternal erythrocyte membranes 44 . DHA levels in erythrocytes was shown to range between 5.5 and 5.8% of total fatty acids in mothers who delivered nearly full-term and full term infants (38 to 40 weeks GA) 44,45 , and was shown to be reduced to until 2.5% of total fatty acids in mothers of 33 weeks-GA preterm infants 43 . Although they have to be confirmed at a larger scale, the data we obtained on mothers confirm these findings as we measured DHA at a level of 3.8% of total fatty acids in erythrocytes of mothers of preterm infants of less than 29 weeks GA.…”

Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Polyunsaturated and Trans Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Offspring Weight Development

“…In our protocol, we included children up to 18 years of age, but only one observational study investigated the effect of PUFAs on BMI up to 23 years of age (72). In total, 14 eligible observational studies investigated the relationship between blood levels of TFAs or n-3 LCPUFA during pregnancy or from cord blood or placental tissues, in relation to birth weight or weight in childhood (32,33,(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81)(82). All the included observational studies are summarized in Table 4.…”

“…Only one study included more multiparous women than nulliparous (83). Most of the studies included slightly more boys than girls ranging from 50 to 54% (32,(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81)(82), and one study included slightly more girls than boys (48.8%) (33).…”

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy—The Case for a Target Omega-3 Index

“…Without substitution, a pregnant woman's DHA levels will fall in proportion to the amounts transported to the fetus, despite mobilization of DHA with advancing gestation [28,29,31]. Longer pregnancies result in higher DHA levels in erythrocytes in the child [32,33]. After birth, mother's milk can be enriched with EPA and DHA through diet [34].…”