A new study shows the possible connection between omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy and theGrowth of the newborn. Such essential fats serve both as fuel for cells and as molecular building blocks in their membranes. For this reason, they are crucial for human functioning and development. According to the study authors, two of these fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, also contribute to the development of a fetus.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and other seafood, promote brain and eye development while reducing the risk of disease. Omega-6 acids, which are common in vegetable oils, have more mixed effects but are also considered essential. Some research also suggests that both types of fats could affect the weight and size of newborns. However, no study had closely examined omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy in mothers' blood and umbilical cords at the time of birth. Now a research team has been able to determine the potential connection between them. Researchers at the University of Nebraska analyzed the blood of 121 mother-child pairs for oxylipins. These are chemical compounds that are formed when enzymes break down fatty acids.
The scientific team found a number of oxylipins in the blood plasma during delivery. Of these, several were linked to the breakdown of omega-6 fatty acids with a larger newborn. For every 10 percent increase in the amounts of two such oxylipins, an infant's height percentile increased by 1.3 and 2, respectively. Similarly, a 10 percent increase in a particular omega-3 oxylipin increased that percentile by 1.2 . Although the associations between oxylipins and birth weight were generally less pronounced, one product of omega-6 degradation appeared particularly notable. However, when this product was undetectable in plasma, the average birth weight was in the 59th percentile. If the degradation product was present, infant weight was scored at the 37th percentile. Further research is needed to determine whether oxylipins from omega-3 and omega-6 actually affect the size and weight of the newborn baby. The resultsthis studyhowever, point out the possibility of using oxylipins as biomarkers for these values.
