Maternal dietary fat intake and the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring

Abstract

Background Fatty acids are crucial in embryologic development, including cardiogenesis. The impact of maternal periconceptional dietary fat intake on the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) has not been clearly elucidated. We hypothesized that maternal dietary fat intake during pregnancy is associated with risk of CHDs in offspring. Methods We analyzed CHD cases and non-malformed controls from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a case-control, multicenter population-based study of birth defects. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyze the association between maternal periconceptional dietary fat intake and occurrence of CHDs. Results We examined 11,393 infants with CHDs (cases) and 11,029 infants without birth defects (controls). Multivariable analysis of maternal dietary fat intake adjusted for maternal energy intake demonstrated modest change in risk for 2 of the 25 CHDs analyzed; otherwise there was no association. Maternal dietary fat intake unadjusted for total energy was associated with increased risk for several CHDs. Conclusion After adjusting for total energy intake, maternal periconceptional dietary fat intake has a modest association with risk of a few specific CHDs. If maternal dietary fat intake does impact CHD risk, the effect is minimal.

Dietary Intake across Reproductive Life Stages of Women in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey from 4 Districts of India

“…Studies from other Asian countries and the western world also report higher fat intake among pregnant and lactating mothers [ 31 , 32 ]. It is imperative to understand that high fat intake is associated with the risk of preeclampsia in women and congenital heart defects in the offspring [ 33 , 34 ]. The dietary intake of women during the postnatal phase is equally important, as the intake during pregnancy, which supports the demand associated with lactation and ensures optimal early life nutrition for the infant.…”

High maternal blood lipid levels during early pregnancy are associated with increased risk of congenital heart disease in offspring

“…Another study tested maternal triglyceride (TG) levels during early pregnancy, but only limited cases of CHD were included 4 . In contrast, a large case–control study based on the multicenter population‐based National Birth Defects Prevention Study reported that maternal periconceptional dietary fat intake did not increase the odds of CHD after adjusting for total energy intake 5 . However, the food‐frequency questionnaire, which is used to assess nutrient intake during the year before pregnancy, was completed at an average of 11 months after delivery 5 .…”

“… 4 In contrast, a large case–control study based on the multicenter population‐based National Birth Defects Prevention Study reported that maternal periconceptional dietary fat intake did not increase the odds of CHD after adjusting for total energy intake. 5 However, the food‐frequency questionnaire, which is used to assess nutrient intake during the year before pregnancy, was completed at an average of 11 months after delivery. 5 It remains controversial whether maternal lipid profile is associated with CHD risk in offspring.…”

“… 5 However, the food‐frequency questionnaire, which is used to assess nutrient intake during the year before pregnancy, was completed at an average of 11 months after delivery. 5 It remains controversial whether maternal lipid profile is associated with CHD risk in offspring. So far, the majority of the research has used food‐frequency questionnaires to assess energy intake.…”

Increased gestational palmitic acid predisposes offspring to congenital heart disease

“… 7 Recently, emerging studies have substantiated the key effect of maternal metabolic disorder during pregnancy on the incidence of fetal CHD and have revealed that a high-fat diet contributes to CHD through multiple pathways. 1 , 8 , 9 In the current study, Zhao et al. 1 demonstrated via clinical analysis and in vitro and in vivo investigations in mouse models that increased maternal serum palmitic acid (PA) levels led to CHD by post-translational modification of GATA4, unveiling a new potential molecular target for prenatal prophylaxis of CHD.…”