PLASMA VITAMIN-A AND VITAMIN-E AND RED-BLOOD-CELL FATTY-ACID PROFILE IN NEWBORNS AND THEIR MOTHERS

Objective: In this work, we have measured the plasma vitamins A and E and red blood cell fatty acid profile in newborns and their mothers an d have determined whether there are any relationships between maternal blood and cord blood for the nutrients measured. Setting: The study w as performed at the Chung Shan Memorial Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Su bjects: Twenty-nine pairs of mothers and their term infants. Intervent ions: Maternal venous blood was collected in the first trimester and a t delivery, and cord blood was collected at delivery. Plasma vitamin A and E levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatograph y and red blood cell fatty acid profile was estimated by gas chromatog raphy. Results: Mothers had significantly greater plasma vitamin A and E levels and vitamin E/total lipid than their term neonates did (P < 0.05). Maternal plasma vitamin E and vitamin E/total lipid were signif icantly greater in the first trimester than at delivery (P < 0.05), Re d blood cell phospholipid oleate and linoleate were significantly grea ter in maternal red blood cell than in cord blood (P < 0.05), however, stearate and arachidonate were significantly greater in the cord bloo d than in the maternal blood (P < 0.05). Maternal vitamin E, vitamin E /total lipid, palmitate, linoleate, arachidonate and docosahexaenoate were found positively correlated to those in their neonates (P < 0.05) . Conclusions: The results suggest that there is a relationship betwee n maternal brood and cord blood for some nutrients. Therefore, the nut ritional status of mothers may affect the nutritional outcome of their neonates.