Background: Few studies have explored whether fetal exposure to trans fatty acids (TFAs) influences the inception of atopic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of specific TFAs (elaidic, vaccenic, and rumenic acids) in maternal plasma and the risk of developing atopic manifestations in the first year of life.
Methods: A subsample from a population-based pregnancy cohort of the INMA Project was analyzed. Maternal intake of fatty acids was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire (75.5% of the cohort). TFAs and n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were measured in samples of plasmatic phospholipids at 12 wk of pregnancy. Information regarding eczema and wheeze in offspring was obtained through questionnaires at ages 6 and 14 mo.
Results: Elaidic acid correlated negatively with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (total, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid), and rumenic acid positively with both n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in maternal plasma. Neither of these two fatty acids was associated with the risk of atopic eczema or wheeze in offspring in the first year of life. However, a higher vaccenic acid level was found to be linked to a lower risk of atopic eczema.
Conclusion: High vaccenic acid concentrations in maternal plasma may protect offspring against atopic eczema in infancy.