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Umbilical vessel wall fatty acids after normal and retarded fetal growth
C V Felton1, T C Chang, D Crook
1Wynn Institute for Metabolic Research, London.
Insights
Fatty acid differences in umbilical vessels were observed between fetuses appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) with normal or growth-retarded rates. These findings suggest distinct metabolic pathways influencing fetal growth.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Fetal growth is influenced by various factors, including maternal nutrition and placental function.
- Umbilical cord composition may reflect fetal metabolic status and growth trajectory.
- Understanding fatty acid profiles in fetal development is crucial for identifying growth abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fetal growth rate and fatty acid composition in human umbilical artery and vein wall phospholipids.
- To differentiate metabolic profiles in fetuses appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) with normal versus growth-retarded rates.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study analyzing fatty acid content in umbilical artery and vein wall phospholipids.
- Classification of fetuses into three groups: AGA, SGA with normal growth rate, and SGA with fetal growth retardation based on third-trimester abdominal circumference changes.
- Quantification of specific fatty acids, including linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6), eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 omega 6), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3).
Main Results:
- Growth-retarded SGA fetuses showed higher venous linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6) and lower eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 omega 6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) compared to AGA and normal-rate SGA fetuses.
- In growth-retarded SGA fetuses, venous and arterial eicosatrienoic acid (20:3 omega 6) correlated with abdominal circumference changes.
- In normal-rate SGA fetuses, lower arterial linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) were linked to reduced abdominal circumference and birth weight.
Conclusions:
- Distinct metabolic derangements underlie normal and subnormal fetal growth rates in SGA fetuses.
- Fatty acid profiles in umbilical vessels may serve as biomarkers for fetal growth status.
- Tailored dietary interventions may be necessary to address specific metabolic issues in fetal growth retardation and improve outcomes.
Abstract:
In a prospective observational study, the fatty acid content of human umbilical artery and vein wall phospholipids was determined in fetuses classified according to their change in abdominal circumference during the third trimester. Three groups were identified: appropriate for gestational age (AGA; 24 infants) and small for gestational age (SGA; 38 infants) with normal antenatal growth rate, and SGA with fetal growth retardation (22 infants). The venous linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6) content (expressed as a percentage of the total fatty acids identified) was greater in growth retarded SGA fetuses (3.5 (0.6)%) than in SGA fetuses with a normal growth rate (3.1 (0.5)%) and AGA fetuses (3.0 (0.5)%), whereas the venous contents of eicosatrienoic (20:3 omega 6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) were lower. In growth retarded SGA fetuses, the venous and arterial 20:3 omega 6 content correlated with the change in abdominal circumference. In SGA fetuses with a normal growth rate, lower contents of arterial 18:2 omega 6 and 22:6 omega 3 were associated with a smaller change in abdominal circumference and birth weight. Different metabolic derangements appear to underly normal and subnormal growth rate in SGA fetuses, suggesting that different strategies of dietary intervention may be required to aid fetal growth and reduce the sequelae of fetal growth retardation.