ABSTRACT
Objectives To explore the nutritional status of fatty acids in the newborn and their mother, and the role of the placenta in fetal nutrition. Methods The composition of fatty acids in blood, placenta, and neonatal umbilical cord blood were determined and analyzed by gas chromatography in 20 normal pregnant women. Results In 20 pregnant women in the study, average age was 27.0±4.5 years, the average gestational age of their newborns was 38.0±3.0 weeks, the average birth weight of newborns was 3320±127 g. There were 18 types of fatty acids in maternal blood, umbilical cord and placenta, including saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The total fatty acid content in maternal blood (3.51±0.57 g/L) was 5 times higher than that in umbilical cord blood (0.74±0.18 g/L), and there was statistically difference (P<0.05). The content of linoleic acid (LA) in maternal blood was higher than that in umbilical cord blood and placenta; the content of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA) in placenta was significantly higher than that in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood; and the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in umbilical cord blood was higher than that in maternal blood and placenta. All differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Mothers preferentially transport long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (AA and DHA) through the placenta to meet the needs of fetal and neonatal growth and development.