INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDATION AND PLASMA FATTY-ACIDS IN THE MOTHER AND THE FETUS

Background: Assessing the relationship between plasma fatty acids, specially polyunsaturated fatty acids in the mother and the fetus and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in an apparently well-nourished population, Design: Case-control intrapartum analysis, Setting: Academic tertiary hospital. Patients, participants: There were 17 IUGR newborn cases (23 mothers) and 34 newborn control cases (46 mothers), Main outcome measure: Eleven fatty acids were blindly analysed in plasma by means of gas chromatography. Results: Percentage values of eicosapentaenoic acid among mothers from the IUGR group were significantly higher than controls, whereas stearic absolute values were significantly reduced. On the other hand there were no differences in percentage values nor in absolute values regarding the 11 fatty acids analysed in newborn infants, Conclusion: In an apparently well-nourished population IUGR is not associated with an alteration in plasma fatty acids on the fetal side, However, on the maternal side some imbalance in eicosapentaenoic and stearic acids were found which will require further study,