Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

10.7K

Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid Levels Are Associated with Early Systemic Inflammation in Extremely Preterm

Ann Hellström1, William Hellström2, Gunnel Hellgren1,3

  • 1Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Nutrients
|July 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Lower docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels at birth are linked to early inflammation in extremely preterm infants. Arachidonic acid (AA) levels showed no significant association with early inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Fetal and early postnatal inflammation are linked to increased morbidity in extremely preterm infants.
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are critical fatty acids with potential immunomodulatory roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between postpartum levels of DHA and AA and early systemic inflammation in extremely preterm infants.
  • To determine if cord blood and early postnatal serum levels of DHA and AA correlate with inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 90 extremely preterm infants was studied.
  • Serum levels of DHA and AA were measured in cord blood, on postnatal day 1, and postnatal day 7.
  • Early systemic inflammation was defined by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6) within 72 hours of birth, with or without positive blood culture.

Main Results:

  • Infants with early systemic inflammation had significantly lower median serum DHA levels on postnatal day 1 compared to those without inflammation (0.5 mol% lower, P = 0.006).
  • Serum AA levels did not differ significantly between infants with and without signs of inflammation.
  • In cord blood, lower serum levels of both DHA (r = -0.40, P = 0.010) and AA (r = -0.54, P < 0.001) correlated with higher IL-6 levels.

Conclusions:

  • Serum DHA levels at birth are associated with the early postnatal inflammatory response in extremely preterm infants.
  • DHA status may play a role in modulating inflammation in this vulnerable population.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of DHA supplementation.

Keywords:
inflammationinterleukin-6polyunsaturated fatty acidpreterm infant

More Related Videos

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat09:04

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat

Published on: February 27, 2014

48.3K
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

4.1K

Related Concept Videos

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
6.0K