Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition of Breast Milk in Pre-Eclamptic Mothers

BACKGROUND: Maternal fatty acid nutrition during pregnancy and lactation determines the transfer of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids via the placenta and through human milk. Neural maturation of breast-fed infants is known to be linked to breast-milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations. In spite of this, the fatty acid composition of breast milk in pre-eclamptic mothers is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To compare the fatty acid composition of breast milk of pre-eclamptic (n = 45) with normotensive (n = 85) mothers and examine the association of breast-milk fatty acids with plasma fatty acids. METHODS: Milk and plasma fatty acid methyl esters were prepared and analyzed by the modified method of Manku and colleagues using gas chromatography. RESULTS: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in breast milk in spite of lower maternal plasma DHA concentrations (p < 0.05) in pre-eclamptic women. However, there was no difference in arachidonic acid levels between groups in spite of reduced maternal plasma arachidonic acid levels. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that in pre-eclampsia, the relation between plasma and milk DHA is altered. The resulting higher milk DHA concentrations are beneficial for infants.