Fetal erythrocyte phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids are altered in pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Insulin resistance and altered maternal metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may impair fetal arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status. The objectives were to test the hypothesis that fetal polyunsaturated fatty acids would be altered with GDM and identify factors related to fetal phospholipid (PL) AA and DHA. Maternal and cord vein erythrocyte PL fatty acids were determined in GDM (n = 13) and healthy pregnant women (controls, n = 12). Cord vein erythrocyte PL AA and DHA concentrations were significantly lower in GDM vs. controls. Maternal blood hemoglobin A1C was inversely correlated to fetal erythrocyte PL DHA and AA in controls and GDM (n = 25). Pregravid body mass index was negatively associated with fetal PL DHA. The data support the hypothesis that there is impairment in fetal accretion of DHA and AA in GDM.