n-6 and n-3 fatty acids during early human development

The food intakes of pregnant women were analysed from two contrasting socio-economic areas in London. There were significant differences in mean calorie and EFA intakes. Analysis of maternal and cord blood essential fatty acids (EFAs) in relation to birth weight, placental weight and head circumference were consistent with the dietary data. To assess the EFA tissue status of the low birth weight babies, the umbilical arteries from 14 separate babies of different birth weights were studied. Surprisingly high levels of the Mead acid (20:3 n-9) were found, with the highest appearing in the artery from the baby with the lowest birth weight. This data may not necessarily imply an EFA deficiency, but at the least it probably indicates a remarkable thirst for long chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids for fetal brain development.