Influence of fatty fish intake during pregnancy in the polyunsaturated fatty acids of erythrocyte phospholipids in the mother at labor and newborn infant.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the relationship between fatty fish intake, the main source of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and maternal and fetal levels in erythrocytes at labor.
METHODS: The fatty acid composition was studied in 64 mother-newborn infant pairs by means of capillar gas chromatography. Following a nutritional inquiry our population was classified as follows: superior intake group (SIG) (> 4 times fatty fish per month; 54.4 +/- 20.5 g/day), medium intake group (MIG) (2-4 per month; 16.5 +/- 4 g/day) and inferior intake group (IIG) (< 2 times per month; 4.3 +/- 4 g/day).
RESULTS: In erythrocyte phospholipids higher levels were observed in SIG in relation to IIG in mothers regarding eicosapentaenoic (0.56 +/- 0.3% and 0.39 +/- 0.2%; p = 0.02) and docosahexaenoic acids (6.14 +/- 1.16% and 5.4 +/- 0.98%; p = 0.02) and in newborn infants regarding eicosapentaenoic acid (0.32 +/- 0.24% and 0.17 +/- 0.09%; p < 0.01). On the other hand, SIG had lower values of arachidonic acid than IIG in mother (11.15 +/- 1.61% vs 12.83 +/- 1.86%; p < 0.01) and newborn infants (16.08 +/- 3.42% vs 17.89 +/- 2.57%; p = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: From a biochemical point of view, and taking into account the pre-existing literature, it is suggested that a minimum fatty fish intake of twice per month should be recommended (edible portion 85 g.) in order to reach the N-6/N-3 quotient usually proposed.