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Higher maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy is associated with more mature neonatal sleep-state
Sunita R Cheruku1, Hawley E Montgomery-Downs, Susanna L Farkas
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, the University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4017, USA.
Insights
Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels influence newborn sleep patterns. Higher maternal DHA is linked to sleep patterns indicating greater central nervous system (CNS) maturity in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The impact of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on fetal central nervous system (CNS) development and infant outcomes is not well understood.
- Newborn sleep and wake states serve as indicators of CNS functional integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between maternal long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations, particularly DHA, and CNS integrity in newborns.
- To utilize infant sleep recordings as a measure of CNS integrity.
Main Methods:
- Maternal plasma phospholipid fatty acid concentrations were analyzed at parturition.
- Infant sleep and wake states were recorded using a pressure-sensitive pad on postpartum days 1 and 2, measuring movement and respiration.
Main Results:
- Maternal DHA levels varied, with women categorized into high (>3.0%) and low (<=3.0%) DHA groups.
- Infants of mothers with high DHA exhibited a lower active sleep (AS) to quiet sleep (QS) ratio and less AS.
- Infants of high-DHA mothers showed less sleep-wake transition and more wakefulness on day 2; maternal n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio also correlated with sleep patterns.
Conclusions:
- Infant sleep patterns associated with higher maternal DHA concentrations suggest enhanced CNS maturity.
- Maternal DHA status is a significant factor in neonatal neurodevelopmental assessment through sleep patterns.
Background:
The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the developing fetal central nervous system (CNS) and related functional outcomes in infancy remain unexplored. Sleep and wake states of newborns provide a tool for assessing the functional integrity of the CNS.
Objective:
We investigated whether CNS integrity in newborns, measured with sleep recordings, was associated with maternal concentrations of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA.
Design:
Plasma phospholipid fatty acid concentrations were measured in 17 women at parturition. On postpartum day 1 (P1) and day 2 (P2), a pressure-sensitive pad under the infants' bedding recorded body movements and respiratory patterns to measure sleep and wake states.
Results:
Maternal plasma phospholipid DHA ranged from 1.91% to 4.5% by wt of total fatty acids. On the basis of previously published data and the median DHA concentration, the women were divided into 2 groups: high DHA (> 3.0% by wt of total fatty acids) and low DHA (
Conclusion:
The sleep patterns of infants born to mothers with higher plasma phospholipid DHA suggest greater CNS maturity.