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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Feb:117:28-35.
doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2017.01.007. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

Effects of a lipid-based nutrient supplement during pregnancy and lactation on maternal plasma fatty acid status and lipid profile: Results of two randomized controlled trials

Brietta M Oaks  1 , Rebecca R Young  2 , Seth Adu-Afarwuah  3 , Ulla Ashorn  4 , Kristina H Jackson  5 , Anna Lartey  3 , Kenneth Maleta  6 , Harriet Okronipa  2 , John Sadalaki  6 , Lacey M Baldiviez  7 , Setti Shahab-Ferdows  7 , Per Ashorn  8 , Kathryn G Dewey  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of a lipid-based nutrient supplement during pregnancy and lactation on maternal plasma fatty acid status and lipid profile: Results of two randomized controlled trials

Brietta M Oaks et al. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2017 Feb.

Abstract

It is unknown whether a novel small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) containing alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic acids impacts maternal plasma lipids and fatty acid status. We measured plasma fatty acids (wt%) and lipid concentrations at 36 wk gestation and breast milk fatty acids (wt%) at 6 months postpartum in a subsample of women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of SQ-LNS on birth outcomes and child growth. Women≤20 wk gestation in Ghana (n=1,320) and Malawi (n=1,391) were assigned to receive daily either: 1) iron-folic acid (pregnancy); 2) multiple micronutrients (pregnancy and lactation); or 3) SQ-LNS (pregnancy and lactation). At 36 wk, plasma ALA levels were higher in those receiving SQ-LNS. SQ-LNS increased breast milk ALA in Ghana but not Malawi. There was no effect on plasma lipids or other selected fatty acids. SQ-LNS may impact plasma and breast milk ALA levels depending on the population.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00970866 NCT01239693.

Keywords: Cholesterol; Lactation; Lipids; Omega-3 fatty acids; Pregnancy; Supplementation.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1
Fatty acid profile of maternal plasma at enrollment and 36 wk gestation and breast milk at 6 mo postpartum.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2
‘Other’ fatty acids category from Fig. 1 expanded.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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