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Linoleic and arachidonic acid in perinatal asphyxia and prematurity

Ioannis Labadaridis1, Marina Moraitou, Martha Theodoraki

  • 1NICU General Hospital, Nikea-Piraeus, Greece.

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|August 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal asphyxia reduces long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) levels in neonates, likely due to oxidative stress. Premature infants exhibit higher LC-PUFA levels shortly after birth compared to term infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition and metabolism
  • Biochemistry of fatty acids
  • Perinatal medicine

Background:

  • Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are crucial for fetal and infant development.
  • Understanding the impact of birth complications on LC-PUFA levels is vital for neonatal health.
  • Linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are key LC-PUFAs investigated in this study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of prematurity and perinatal asphyxia on plasma and red blood cell (RBC) membrane levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA).
  • To explore the relationship between oxidative stress markers and LC-PUFA levels in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 55 neonates: 18 with perinatal asphyxia, 9 preterm, and 28 healthy term infants.
  • Gas chromatography was used to measure non-esterified and total LA and AA in plasma and RBC membranes within the first day of life.
  • Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, an indicator of oxidative stress, were measured using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.

Main Results:

  • Neonates with perinatal asphyxia (group A) showed significantly lower plasma free and total AA and free LA compared to healthy term infants (group C).
  • Preterm neonates (group B) exhibited significantly higher RBC total LA and AA levels compared to group C.
  • A negative correlation was observed between MDA levels and LC-PUFA levels, suggesting increased oxidative stress in neonates with altered LC-PUFA status.

Conclusions:

  • Perinatal asphyxia is associated with decreased LC-PUFA levels, potentially due to heightened oxidative stress.
  • Premature infants demonstrate elevated LC-PUFA levels shortly after birth, possibly reflecting metabolic activity or intrauterine transport.
  • Findings highlight the complex interplay between birth status, oxidative stress, and essential fatty acid metabolism in neonates.
Abstract

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