INFLUENCE OF FATTY FISH INTAKE DURING PREGNANCY IN THE POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS OF ERYTHROCYTE PHOSPHOLIPIDS IN THE MOTHER AT LABOR AND NEWBORN-INFANT

Background. Assessing the relationship between fatty fish intake, the main source of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and maternal and fetal levels in erythrocytes at labor. Methods. The fatty acid composition w as studied in 64 mother-newborn infant pairs by means of capillar gas chromatography. Following a nutritional inquiry our population was cla ssified as follows: superior intake group (SIG) (>4 times fatty fish p er month; 54.4+/-20.5 g/day), medium intake group (MIG) (2-4 per month ; 16.5+/-4 g/day) and inferior intake group GIG) (<2 times per month; 4.3+/-4 g/day). Results. In erythrocyte phospholipids higher levels we re observed in SIG in relation to IIG in mothers regarding eicosapenta enoic (0.56+/-0.3% and 0.39+/-0.2%; p=0.02) and docosahexaenoic acids (6.14+/-1.16% and 5.4+/-0.98%; p=0.02) and in newborn infants regardin g eicosapentaenoic acid (0.32+/-0.24% and 0.17+/-0.09%; p<0.01). On th e other hand, SIG had lower values of arachidonic acid than IIG in mot her (11.15+/-1.61% vs 12.83+/-1.86%; p<0.01) and newborn infants (16.0 8+/-3.42% vs 17.89+/-2.57%; p=0.05). Conclusions. From a biochemical p oint of view, and taking into account the pre-existing literature, it is suggested that a minimum fatty fish intake of twice per month shoul d be recommended (edible portion 85 g.) in order to reach the N-6/N-3 quotient usually proposed.