Docosahexaenoic Acid Status in Pregnancy Determines the Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Status 3-, 6- and 12 Months Postpartum. Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study

PLoS ONE
Q1
Sep 2015
Citations:35
Influential Citations:2
Observational Studies (Human)
80
S2 IconPDF Icon

Enhanced Details

Methods
Longitudinal observational study of pregnant and postpartum women in Norway (n=118). Four assessment points: gestational week 28, and 3-, 6-, and 12 months postpartum; participants were women around age 30–32.
Results
DHA status in red blood cells declines from late pregnancy to about 6 months postpartum and then increases toward 12 months postpartum; the trajectory is best described by a second-order polynomial with significant between-subject variation. Total seafood-index (seafood intake plus EPA/DHA supplement intake) positively predicted DHA status; each unit increase predicted an average DHA increase of 4 μg/g RBC (95% CI 3–6). Seafood dinner frequency remained around 1.5 times per week; EPA/DHA supplement intake decreased postpartum while seafood spread intake increased. LA status decreased from pregnancy to postpartum and was inversely related to education; AA status showed a complex trajectory (initial rise, then fall, then rise) described by a cubic model. About one-third of women had DHA below the 2.5 percentile at 3 or 6 months postpartum. Breastfeeding did not significantly affect DHA status. Implications: increasing maternal seafood consumption or EPA/DHA supplementation during pregnancy may help maintain higher maternal DHA levels into the postpartum year, supporting fetal/infant development and maternal health; low DHA status in pregnancy has been associated with higher postpartum depression risk in prior analyses, underscoring the health relevance of adequate DHA intake around pregnancy.
Limitations
Recruitment challenges at baseline and 3 months postpartum; nontraditional longitudinal design with late-entry participants; lack of birth/early postpartum sampling; potential selection bias; some analyses based on small subgroups.

Abstract

Background Essential fatty acid status as well as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) declines during pregnancy and lactation. As a result, the DHA status may not be optimal for child development and may increase the risk for maternal postpartum depr...