[Relationship between dietary pattern and maternal state of fatty acids during pregnancy in three regions of China]

To investigate the dietary pattern during pregnancy and the compositions of fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine (PC) during pregnancy in different regions of China.

35 Health women of each region were recruited from three different geographical regions in China: Jurong (an inland region close to freshwater), Rizhao (a coastal region) and Xushui (an inland region with limited access to freshwater). All women were long-term residents of their respective region. Their dietary status (including consumption frequency of food and consumption of culinary oil) during second trimester pregnancy was recorded and the fatty acid composition of PC in plasma during late pregnancy (34 weeks gestation) was quantified by GC.

The consumption frequency of marine fish in Rizhao was significant higher than in other two regions. The main n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of PC in plasma was docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in all regions. The composition of DHA in three regions were (3.31 +/- 0.77) %, (3.74 +/- 1.21) % and (2.44 +/- 0.63) %, respectively. The composition of DHA in Xushui was significant lower than in other two regions (P < 0.017). There was positive relationship between consumption frequency of marine fish and composition of DHA of PC in plasma (r = 0.337, P < 0.05).

There was relationship between pregnant women's fatty acids composition of PC in plasma and their dietary. The consumption of food with high content of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy would be more practical for DHA store of pregnant women.