Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mothers of preterm babies
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Anitha S. Kilari
Abstract
Aims: To examine the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in both plasma and erythrocytes of maternal and cord blood as well as in breast milk of mothers of preterm babies.
Methods: A total of 63 mothers of preterm babies were recruited from the Bharati Medical Hospital, Pune, India.
Results: Plasma and erythrocyte DHA and AA levels were higher (P<0.001) in cord blood than in maternal blood. Maternal plasma DHA and AA were positively (P<0.01) associated with their respective maternal erythrocyte levels. There was a positive association (P<0.01) between maternal DHA (both plasma and erythrocyte) and cord DHA. Maternal plasma omega 3 and 6 fatty acids were positively (P<0.01) associated with their respective milk fatty acids.
Conclusions: Higher DHA and AA levels in cord blood compared to the mothers suggests a special mechanism to meet the increased demand of the fetus. Higher levels of milk DHA reflect the increased postnatal requirement of preterm babies suggesting a vital role for maternal milk. Lower maternal erythrocyte DHA concentrations in mothers delivering preterm as compared to term suggest that increased oxidative stress may be responsible for reduced DHA levels. This may alter the uterotonic factors like prostaglandins leading to premature triggering of labor.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- A statement of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine
- Ethical dimensions of periviability
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- The expression pattern of two novel cytokines (IL-24 and IL-29) in human fetal membranes
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- Serial changes of lung morphology and biochemical profiles in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide and postnatal hyperoxia
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- Letter to the editor
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- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Late motherhood and cesarean delivery
- Review article
- Oxygen and oxidative stress in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- A statement of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine
- Ethical dimensions of periviability
- Opinion Paper
- The role of melatonin in post-partum psychosis and depression associated with bipolar disorder
- Original articles – Obstetrics
- Low maternal serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 concentrations are associated with preterm labor and fetal inflammatory response
- Comparison of complications in second trimester amniocentesis performed with 20G, 21G and 22G needles
- Genome profiles in maternal blood during early onset preeclampsia and towards term
- Comparative analysis of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), placental alpha-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) and nitrazine test to diagnose premature rupture of membranes in pregnancy
- Evidence of the escape of antithrombin from the blood into the interstitial space in pregnant women
- Characterization of the myometrial transcriptome and biological pathways of spontaneous human labor at term
- Does very advanced maternal age, with or without egg donation, really increase obstetric risk in a large tertiary center?
- A great lack of knowledge regarding umbilical cord blood banking among pregnant women in Berlin, Germany
- Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mothers of preterm babies
- Original articles – Fetus
- The expression pattern of two novel cytokines (IL-24 and IL-29) in human fetal membranes
- The source of error in the estimation of intertwin birth weight discordance
- Original articles – Newborn
- Serial changes of lung morphology and biochemical profiles in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia induced by intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide and postnatal hyperoxia
- Effect of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on fetal growth potential
- Prenatal tobacco exposure and cortisol levels in infants of teen mothers
- Letter to the editor
- Mediastinal tumor during pregnancy: a multidisciplinary approach
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after intrauterine exposure to tramadol
- Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and uterine wall defects
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
