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Phospholipid fatty acids in cord blood: family history and development of allergy
G Yu1, N I Kjellman, B Björkstén
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.
Insights
Infants born to mothers with allergies show higher levels of specific fatty acids in umbilical cord serum. These altered fatty acid profiles at birth may indicate early changes associated with allergy development.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- Allergic diseases represent a significant global health burden.
- Early life factors, including maternal health and nutrition, may influence infant allergy development.
- Fatty acid metabolism is crucial for immune system development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fatty acid composition of umbilical cord serum phospholipids in infants born to allergic versus non-allergic mothers.
- To explore potential associations between cord blood fatty acid profiles and the subsequent development of allergic disease.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography was used to analyze the fatty acid composition of umbilical cord serum phospholipids.
- A cohort of 33 infants from allergic mothers and 35 infants from non-allergic mothers was studied.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare fatty acid levels and ratios.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher relative levels of linoleic acid metabolites (C20:3, arachidonic acid [AA], C22:4n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid metabolites (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) were observed in infants of allergic mothers (p < 0.05).
- Altered proportional relationships between n-3 and n-6 series fatty acids were evident at birth in infants who later developed allergies.
- Individual variations were considerable, limiting predictive capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Infants of allergic mothers exhibit distinct umbilical cord serum phospholipid fatty acid profiles at birth.
- These findings suggest early alterations in fatty acid metabolism may be associated with allergy development.
- The observed variations preclude the use of these markers for individual allergy prediction.
Abstract:
The fatty acid composition of umbilical cord serum phospholipids was investigated by gas chromatography in 33 infants with allergic and 35 babies of non-allergic mothers. The relative levels of the linoleic acid metabolites C20:3, arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4) and C22:4n-6, and two alpha-linolenic acid metabolites, i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) were significantly higher in infants of allergic mothers than in non-allergic mothers (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, an altered proportional relationship between the various fatty acids in n-6 series fatty acids and between n-3 and n-6 series fatty acids was present already at birth in infants who developed allergic disease during their first 6 years of life. These observations cannot be employed for the prediction of allergy, however, as the individual variations were considerable.