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Medium chain fatty acids in intrauterine growth restricted and small for gestational age pregnancies

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Abstract

Introduction

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes in adult life. Fetal growth is determined by nutrient availability, which is related to placenta nutrient transport. Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are a particular class of nutrients, known to be a readily available energy source. Until now no data are reported on these MCFAs in low birth weight fetus.

Aim

This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary center of prenatal diagnosis to investigate the maternal and fetal MCFAs levels in appropriate for gestational age (AGA), intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR), and small for gestational age (SGA) pregnancies.

Method

The plasmatic levels of MCFAs in AGA, IUGR and SGA mother–infant pairs were quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The analytical method had a linearity range of 0.1–50 mg/L and a limit of quantification of 0.03 mg/L. Reduced fetal growth was defined as an estimated fetal weight below the 3rd–10th percentile for gestational age, with (IUGR) or without (SGA) fetal Doppler abnormalities.

Result

Maternal and fetal MCFAs plasma levels were significantly different among SGA, IUGR and AGA groups. Additionally, the observed MCFAs fetal to maternal ratio is >1 for IUGR group, whilst for SGA and AGA the fetal to maternal ratio is less than one.

Conclusion

Changes in MCFAs levels in fetal and maternal plasma are not related to placental functionality or nutrients availability, suggesting the presence of a de novo biosynthesis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the “Grant Program for Young Investigator on Paediatric Research” 2013 of CARIPARO foundation.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Woman and Child’s Health, University of Padua, via Nicolò Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padua, Italy

      Silvia Visentin & Erich Cosmi

    2. Nano-Inspired Biomedicine Laboratory, Institute of Paediatric Research—Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padua, Italy

      Sara Crotti, Elena Donazzolo, Sara D’Aronco & Marco Agostini

    3. First Surgical Clinic Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, via Nicolò Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy

      Donato Nitti & Marco Agostini

    Authors
    1. Silvia Visentin
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    2. Sara Crotti
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    Correspondence to Sara Crotti.

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    The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

    Ethical approval

    This study is conducted according to the principles expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local ethics committee (protocol number 2260P). Written informed consent will be obtained from every individual enrolled.

    Additional information

    Silvia Visentin, Sara Crotti and Elena Donazzolo are equal contribute as first author.

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    Visentin, S., Crotti, S., Donazzolo, E. et al. Medium chain fatty acids in intrauterine growth restricted and small for gestational age pregnancies. Metabolomics 13, 54 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-017-1197-8

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