Higher omega-3 index and DHA status in pregnant women compared to lactating women - Results from a German nation-wide cross-sectional study

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Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-28
Number of pages7
JournalProstaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Volume109
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2016

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant (≥27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty acid).

RESULTS: The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23±1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p≤0.001) higher omega-3 index values (6.40±1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91±1.23%) than lactating women (omega-3 index: 5.50±1.34%; DHA: 4.79±1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73±1.28%) vs. women without supplementation (6.04±1.39%, p≤0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index.

CONCLUSION: Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3 index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.

Keywords

    Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dietary Supplements, Docosahexaenoic Acids/blood, Eicosapentaenoic Acid/blood, Fatty Acids, Omega-3/analysis, Female, Germany, Humans, Lactation/blood, Pregnancy, Young Adult, LC n-3 PUFA, Lactation, Omega-3 index, DHA

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@article{a753bf7fc49643f7a80b0663f8bf02d9,
title = "Higher omega-3 index and DHA status in pregnant women compared to lactating women - Results from a German nation-wide cross-sectional study",
abstract = "INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation.MATERIAL AND METHODS: As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant (≥27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty acid).RESULTS: The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23±1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p≤0.001) higher omega-3 index values (6.40±1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91±1.23%) than lactating women (omega-3 index: 5.50±1.34%; DHA: 4.79±1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73±1.28%) vs. women without supplementation (6.04±1.39%, p≤0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index.CONCLUSION: Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3 index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.",
keywords = "Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dietary Supplements, Docosahexaenoic Acids/blood, Eicosapentaenoic Acid/blood, Fatty Acids, Omega-3/analysis, Female, Germany, Humans, Lactation/blood, Pregnancy, Young Adult, LC n-3 PUFA, Lactation, Omega-3 index, DHA",
author = "Sandra Gellert and Schuchardt, {Jan Philipp} and Andreas Hahn",
note = "Funding information: Study was supported by Rottapharm Madaus GmbH (Cologne, Germany) – now a part of Meda AB (Bad Homburg, Germany).",
year = "2016",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.plefa.2016.04.002",
language = "English",
volume = "109",
pages = "22--28",
journal = "Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids",
issn = "0952-3278",
publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",
number = "6",

}

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Higher omega-3 index and DHA status in pregnant women compared to lactating women - Results from a German nation-wide cross-sectional study

AU - Gellert, Sandra

AU - Schuchardt, Jan Philipp

AU - Hahn, Andreas

N1 - Funding information: Study was supported by Rottapharm Madaus GmbH (Cologne, Germany) – now a part of Meda AB (Bad Homburg, Germany).

PY - 2016/6

Y1 - 2016/6

N2 - INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation.MATERIAL AND METHODS: As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant (≥27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty acid).RESULTS: The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23±1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p≤0.001) higher omega-3 index values (6.40±1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91±1.23%) than lactating women (omega-3 index: 5.50±1.34%; DHA: 4.79±1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73±1.28%) vs. women without supplementation (6.04±1.39%, p≤0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index.CONCLUSION: Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3 index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.

AB - INTRODUCTION: During pregnancy and lactation, there is a high need of long-chain (LC) omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for fetus and infant. Also, a low LC n-3 PUFA status during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the LC n-3 PUFA status in German women during pregnancy and lactation.MATERIAL AND METHODS: As a part of a nationwide cross-sectional study in which the nutrient status of women in different stages of life was determined, 213 pregnant (≥27th week of gestation) and 127 lactating women between 18 and 44 years were evaluated regarding their LC n-3 PUFA status by measuring the omega-3 index (relative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA concentration in erythrocyte fatty acid).RESULTS: The mean omega-3 index of the total study population was 6.23±1.48%. Pregnant women showed significant (p≤0.001) higher omega-3 index values (6.40±1.31%) and DHA concentrations (5.91±1.23%) than lactating women (omega-3 index: 5.50±1.34%; DHA: 4.79±1.27%). Woman with LC n-3 PUFA supplementation showed higher omega-3 index values (7.73±1.28%) vs. women without supplementation (6.04±1.39%, p≤0.001). Week of pregnancy, month of lactation as well as smoking were negatively associated with the omega-3 index.CONCLUSION: Comprehensive data on the long-term LC n-3 PUFA status of German women during pregnancy and lactation are presented. To evaluate an optimal maternal omega-3 index in view of the fetal and infant development further studies are needed.

KW - Adult

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Dietary Supplements

KW - Docosahexaenoic Acids/blood

KW - Eicosapentaenoic Acid/blood

KW - Fatty Acids, Omega-3/analysis

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Humans

KW - Lactation/blood

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Young Adult

KW - LC n-3 PUFA

KW - Lactation

KW - Omega-3 index

KW - DHA

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U2 - 10.1016/j.plefa.2016.04.002

DO - 10.1016/j.plefa.2016.04.002

M3 - Article

C2 - 27269710

VL - 109

SP - 22

EP - 28

JO - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

JF - Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids

SN - 0952-3278

IS - 6

ER -

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