Newborns with lower levels of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abdominally more adipose

BackgroundMaternal nutrition is the main source of Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) for the fetus. PUFA may influence the accumulation of fat in early life. Objectives & MethodsIn 33 breastfed infants born appropriate-for-gestational-age, we studied whether body composition (judged by absorptiometry at 2 wk and 4 mo) relates to PUFA levels (assessed by gas chromatography) in the maternal or fetal circulation at birth. ResultsAbdominal fat at 2wk associated negatively to umbilical-cord levels of separate PUFA (linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid; all P between 0.001 and 0.015). Collectively, the assessed n-6PUFA on one hand and the n-3PUFA on the other hand associated negatively to the absolute amount of abdominal fat (in grams; P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively) and to the relative amount of abdominal fat (fraction of total fat; P=0.001 and P=0.006, respectively). No other significant associations were observed. ConclusionIn conclusion, newborns with lower levels of circulating PUFA were found to be abdominally more adipose. The mechanisms underpinning these associations remain to be determined.