Effects of pregnancy-induced hypertension on the essential fatty acid statuses of Ecuadorian and Dutch women

OBJECTIVE: Among white Dutch women pregnancy-induced hypertension was shown to be associated with elevated levels of the long-chain polyenes of 18:2n- 6 and 18:3n-3 in combination with reduced levels of those parent essential fatty acids. This observation suggested an enhanced desaturation and elonga tion of the parent fatty acids. This study was performed to investigate whe ther this phenomenon also occurs under completely different nutritional and geographic conditions. STUDY DESIGN: Plasma fatty acids of primiparous Mestizo Ecuadorian women wi th uncomplicated pregnancies and with pregnancy-induced hypertension were a ssessed at delivery and compared with similar data from white Dutch women. Neonatal values, as determined in umbilical plasma and umbilical vessel wal ls, were also compared. RESULTS: In contrast to the pattern seen among white mothers, pregnancy-ind uced hypertension did not increase the long-chain polyene status of Mestizo mothers. Despite the absence of this compensatory mechanism, long-chain po lyene status was not compromised in Mestizo neonates born after pregnancy-i nduced hypertension. CONCLUSION: Additional mechanisms may be active in maintaining the long-cha in polyene status of neonates born after pregnancy-induced hypertension. (A m J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1185-90.).