Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Lactation and Body Fat Mass in Newborns

Pregnant and lactating women receive n-3 fatty acids starting from week 15 of gestation until 4 months post-partum (pp) in comparison to a control group, who only gets information about adequately healthy nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. The amount of fat in newborns is measured through skinfold thickness, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is hypothesised that a reduction in arachidonic acid intake and an increase of n-3 LC PUFAs (long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) via supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could lead to less expansive fat tissue development in the first year of life.