Effect of three low-dose fish oil supplements, administered during pregnancy, on neonatal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status at birth.

Adequate long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) status during pregnancy is important. We studied the effect of three low-dose fish oil supplements, administered during uncomplicated pregnancy, on neonatal LCP status at term delivery. Supplements were administered from the second trimester to delivery, either as fish oil capsules ("fish-1": 336 mg LCPomega3, n=15; and "fish-3": 1,008 mg LCPomega3, n=20) or milk-based supplement ("Mum": 528 mg LCPomega3, n=24). Fifty-seven untreated women served as controls. Fatty acids of umbilical veins (UV) and arteries (UA) were measured. The fish-1 group showed no differences, compared to controls. The Mum group had higher 20:5omega3, 22:5omega3, 22:6omega3, LCPomega3 and 22:6omega3/22:5omega6 in UV and UA. The fish-3 group had higher 22:5omega3 and 22:6omega3 (UA), LCPomega3 and 22:6omega3/22:5omega6 (UV and UA) and 20:3omega6 (UV). A 500-1000 mg daily LCPomega3 supplement, taken either as a milk-based supplement or fish oil capsules, effectively increases fetal LCPomega3 status, without affecting LCPomega6 status.

Umbilical vessels of preeclamptic women have low contents of both n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is characterized by enhanced platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction and is related to an elevated ratio of thromboxane A2 to prostacyclin I2. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether altered eicosanoid production in preeclamptic women could be explained by the fatty acid composition of umbilical vessel walls and platelets. DESIGN: The fatty acid composition of maternal and umbilical platelets and of umbilical arteries and veins in 27 preeclamptic women and 24 normotensive women was determined. Between-group differences were analyzed with linear discriminant analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test, or analysis of covariance with gestational age as the covariate. RESULTS: Platelets of preeclamptic women contained lower amounts of 20:5n-3 and a higher ratio of 20:4n-6 to 20:5n-3 than did platelets of normotensive women. Additionally, linear discriminant analysis revealed higher amounts of 20:4n-6 in platelets of preeclamptic women. Umbilical arteries and veins in preeclamptic women contained lower amounts of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the n-3 series, n-6 long-chain PUFAs, and 20:3n-6 than did umbilical arteries and veins of normotensive women. Umbilical arteries also had lower amounts of 20:4n-6, higher amounts of 20:3n-9, and a higher ratio of 20:3n-9 to 20:4n-6. CONCLUSIONS: Low amounts of long-chain n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in umbilical vessels of preeclamptic women with adequate n-6 status may indicate insufficient transplacental transfer of long-chain PUFAs. The low amounts of 20:4n-6, high amounts of 20:3n-9, and high ratio of 20:3n-9 to 20:4n-6 in umbilical arteries may unfavorably affect local prostacyclin production. Low amounts of 20:3n-6 in umbilical arteries and veins and low amounts of 20:5n-3 in maternal platelets may contribute to the dominance of eicosanoids derived from 20:4n-6.

Umbilical vessels in preeclamptic pregnancies have low contents of both w3 and w6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

We determined the fatty acid compositions of maternal and umbilical platelets (PLT), and of the umbilical arteries (UA) and veins (UV) of 27 preeclamptic pregnancies and 24 normotensive controls, mostly of Afro-Caribbean descents. Between-group differences were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test or with analysis of convariance with gestational age as covariate. PLT of preeclamptic women contained lower 20:5 w3, and a higher 20.4 w6/20:5 w3 ratio. Linear discriminant analysis revealed higher 20:4 w6. Major differences were found in UV and especially UA fatty acid compositions. UA and UV of preeclamptic pregnancies contained lower long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of the w3-series (LCPUFA w3), LCPUFA w6 and 20:3 w6. UA had lower 20:4 w6 higher 20:3 w9 and 20:3 w9/20:4 w6. We conclude that the low LCPUFA w3 and LCPUFA w6 levels in umbilical vessels of preeclamptic women with adequate w6 status may indicate insufficient LCPUFA transplacental transfer. The low 20:4 w6, high 20:3 w9 and high 20:3 w9/20:4 w6 ratio in UA may unfavourably affect local prostacylin production and cause other 20:3 w9 related adverse effects. Low 20:3 w6 in UV and UA, and low 20:5 w3 in maternal PLT, may contribute to the dominance of 20:4 w6 derived eicosanoids.(AU)

Perinatal data on teenage pregnancies in Curacao

Over the past years many studies have been performed on perinatal data regarding teenage pregnancies. To update perinatal data on teenage pregnancies in Curacao, and to compare these with the data from earlier studies, a retrospective study was done using a new perinatal registration system. The study population comprised women who gave birth under the care of a midwife or who had been referred by a midwife to an obstetrician. Within this population perinatal data were compared between women aged <20 years at the first antenatal visit (teenage group) and those aged 20 years of age (controls). Statistical significance of differences in percentages were determined using Chi square tests. For the differences in mean values t-tests were performed. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The duration of pregnancy was significantly more often in doubt in teenagers and they had significantly more spontaneous deliveries, in concurrence with the findings of most other studies. Teenagers did not develop more maternal pathology, but they are at risk for developing eclampsia, once pre-eclampsia occurs. In our study we found a significantly lower mean birthweight for the teenage group, a significantly higher incidence of preterm deliveries and significantly more neonatal pathology. Perinatal mortality was lower in teenage pregnancies, though not significantly so. Although the mean birthweight among the teenagers (3128 g) was lower than that of the controls, it was still very acceptable. The higher incidence of neonatal pathology is related to the higher incidence of preterm deliveries (AU)x

One year of perinatal registration in Curacao - abstract

Perinatal care in Curacao has been a cause for concern because of parameters that show poor outcome and the lack of an adequate, uniform and flexible registration system. In addressing this problem, the government chose a system that could deliver up-to-date information, make continuous evaluation possible and be an instrument in ensuring delivery of a minimum of antenatal care. After a try-out period, the Sistema Informatico Perinatal (SIP) of the Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia y Desarollo Humano (CLAP) was introduced on October 1, 1993, among all practising midwives. This study analyses data compiled during the first year. Most striking results: low rate of missing information; high rate of teenage pregnancy; high rate of expecting mothers who made their first antenatal visit in their third trimester of pregnancy. Most frequent maternal pathologies: threat of premature labour, urinary tract infections, puerperal bleeding, premature rupture of membranes and pre-eclampsia. Most frequent new-born pathologies: hyper-bilirubinaemia, infections and RDS. We conclude that the CLAP system has the potential to provide timely information on antenatal and maternal data important for proving optimal care during pregnancy (AU)