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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Neonatal fatty acid status and cardiometabolic health at 9years
Jorien Seggers1, Hedwig K Kikkert1, Corina de Jong2
1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Higher levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and a higher AA to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratio at birth are linked to lower diastolic blood pressure (BP) in children at age 9. This finding suggests early-life fatty acid status impacts later cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are crucial for development and health.
- Previous research showed no effect of postnatal LCPUFA supplementation on blood pressure (BP) and anthropometrics.
- The association between cord blood LCPUFA status and later cardiometabolic health remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between umbilical cord levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) and BP and anthropometrics at age 9.
- To explore potential early-life predictors of cardiometabolic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- An observational follow-up study of 229 children from a prior randomized controlled trial (RCT).
- Umbilical cord vein and artery levels of DHA and AA were measured.
- Multivariable analyses were used to assess associations with BP and anthropometrics at age 9, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Higher umbilical AA levels were associated with lower diastolic BP at age 9 (vein: p=0.030; artery: p=0.046).
- The umbilical AA:DHA ratio was negatively associated with diastolic BP (p=0.015).
- No significant associations were found between neonatal LCPUFA status and systolic BP, heart rate, or anthropometrics.
Conclusions:
- Elevated AA levels and a higher AA:DHA ratio at birth may be protective against elevated diastolic BP later in childhood.
- These findings suggest that the role of LCPUFAs in cardiometabolic health may differ in early life compared to adulthood.
- Neonatal fatty acid status could be an important factor in long-term cardiovascular health trajectories.
Background:
Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) status is associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. We previously demonstrated no effect of LCPUFA supplementation after birth on BP and anthropometrics. Little is known about the association between fatty acid status at birth and cardiometabolic health at older ages.
Aim:
To evaluate associations between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) levels in the umbilical cord and blood pressure (BP) and anthropometrics at 9years.
Study Design:
Observational follow-up study. Multivariable analyses were carried out to adjust for potential confounders.
Subjects:
229 children who took part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the effects of LCPUFA formula supplementation.
Outcome Measures:
BP was chosen as primary outcome; heart rate and anthropometrics as secondary outcomes.
Results:
AA levels in the wall of the umbilical vein and artery were negatively associated with diastolic BP (B: vein -0.831, 95% CI: -1.578; -0.083, p=0.030; artery: -0.605, 95% CI: -1.200; -0.010, p=0.046). AA was not associated with systolic BP; DHA not with diastolic nor systolic BP. The AA:DHA ratio in the umbilical vein was negatively associated with diastolic BP (B: -1.738, 95% CI: -3.141; -0.335, p=0.015). Heart rate and anthropometrics were not associated with neonatal LCPUFA status.
Conclusions:
Higher AA levels and a higher AA:DHA ratio at birth are associated with lower diastolic BP at age 9. This suggests that the effect of LCPUFAs at early age is different from that in adults, where DHA is regarded anti-adipogenic and AA as adipogenic.
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