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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2023; 45(03): 127-133
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768455
Original Article
High Risk Pregnancy

Maternal Blood Fatty Acid Levels in Fetal Growth Restriction

Níveis sanguíneos maternos de ácidos graxos na restrição do crescimento fetal
Raquel Margiotte Grohmann 
1   Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine–Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Vivian Macedo Gomes Marçal 
1   Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine–Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Science College of Santos, Santos, SP, Brazil
,
Isabela César Corazza 
1   Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine–Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Alberto Borges Peixoto 
3   Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
4   Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, Mário Palmério University Hospital, University of Uberaba, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
,
Edward Araujo Júnior 
1   Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine–Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Luciano Marcondes Machado Nardozza 
1   Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine–Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract

Objective: To assess the maternal blood levels of fatty acids (FAs) in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included pregnant women with gestational age between 26 and 37 + 6 weeks with FGR and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses. The levels of saturated, trans, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FAs were measured using centrifugation and liquid chromatography. The Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney test, and general linear model, with gestational age and maternal weight as covariants, were used to compare FA levels and the FGR and AGA groups. The Chi-square was used to evaluate the association between groups and studied variables.

Results: Maternal blood sample was collected from 64 pregnant women, being 24 FGR and 40 AGA. A weak positive correlation was found between the palmitoleic acid level and maternal weight (r = 0.285, p = 0.036). A weak negative correlation was found between the gamma-linoleic acid level and gestational age (r = − 0.277, p = 0.026). The median of the elaidic acid level (2.3 vs. 4.7 ng/ml, p = 0.045) and gamma-linoleic acid (6.3 vs. 6.6 ng/ml, p = 0.024) was significantly lower in the FGR than the AGA group. The palmitoleic acid level was significantly higher in the FGR than AGA group (50.5 vs. 47.6 ng/ml, p = 0.033).

Conclusion: Pregnant women with FGR had lower elaidic acid and gamma-linoleic acid levels and higher palmitoleic acid levels than AGA fetuses.

Resumo

Objetivo: Avaliar os níveis sanguíneos maternos de ácidos graxos (AGs) em gestações com restrição de crescimento fetal (RCF).

Métodos: Este estudo prospectivo transversal incluiu gestantes com idade gestacional entre 26 e 37 semanas e 6 dias com RCF e fetos adequados para a idade gestacional (AIG). Os níveis de ácidos graxos saturados, trans, monoinsaturados e poliinsaturados foram medidos usando centrifugação e cromatografia líquida. O teste t-Student, o teste de Mann-Whitney e o modelo linear geral, com idade gestacional e peso materno como covariantes, foram utilizados para comparar os níveis de AGs e os grupos RCF e AIG. O teste Qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar a associação entre os grupos e as variáveis estudadas.

Resultados: Amostra de sangue materno foi coletada de 64 gestantes, sendo 24 RCF e 40 AIG. Uma correlação positiva fraca foi encontrada entre o nível de ácido palmitoleico e o peso materno (r = 0,285, p = 0,036). Uma correlação negativa fraca foi encontrada entre o nível de ácido gama-linoleico e a idade gestacional (r = − 0,277, p = 0,026). A mediana do nível de ácido elaídico (2,3 vs. 4,7 ng/ml, p = 0,045) e ácido gama-linoleico (6,3 vs. 6,6 ng/ml, p = 0,024) foram significativamente menores no grupo RCF do que no grupo AIG. O nível de ácido palmitoleico foi significativamente maior no grupo RCF do que no grupo AIG (50,5 vs. 47,6 ng/ml, p = 0,033).

Conclusão: Gestantes com RCF apresentaram níveis mais baixos de ácido elaídico e ácido gama-linoleico e níveis mais elevados de ácido palmitoleico do que os fetos AIG.

Keywords

Fetal growth restriction - Maternal blood - Appropriate for gestational age - Fatty acids

Palavras-chave

Restrição de crescimento fetal - Sangue materno - Adequado para idade gestacional - Ácidos graxos

Contributions

All the authors contributed equally to the present paper, namely to the conception and design, data collection or analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the article, and review of the intellectual content. Therefore, all authors approved the final version to be published.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 06 April 2022

Accepted: 02 December 2022

Article published online:
27 April 2023

© 2023. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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