Distribution of Fatty Acids and Lipids During Pregnancy

Abstract

Maternal fatty acid and lipid metabolism undergoes changes during pregnancy to facilitate fetal growth and development. Different types of fatty acids have different roles in maintaining a successful pregnancy and they are incorporated into different forms of lipids for the purpose of storage and transport. This chapter aims to provide an understanding of the distribution and metabolism of fatty acids and lipids in the maternal, placental, and fetal compartments. We further describe how this distribution is altered in maternal obesity, preterm birth, and pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction.

Keywords: Fetal development; Gestational diabetes; Lipid metabolism; Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid; Obesity; Placenta; Preeclampsia; Preterm; Saturated fatty acids.