Patterns of perinatal exposure to polyunsaturated fatty acids and child neurodevelopment: evidence from Mendelian randomization using FADS cluster variants
Omega-3 and Omega-6:Valuable Allies for Babies’ Brains?
Polyunsaturatedfattyacids, betterknown as omega-3 and omega-6, are essential nutrients for braingrowth in the womb and during the first months of life. Pregnant and breastfeedingwomen are encouraged to consume omega-3s to support theirbaby’snutritionalneeds. However, scientists have struggled to clearlydemonstratethat omega-3 or omega-6 intakeduringpregnancybrings lasting benefits for cognitive development.
A French StudyOffers New Insights
To shed light on the issue, a team of French researchersconducted an in-depthstudyinvolving over 1,000 familiesfrom the EDEN cohort. Theymeasured omega-3 and omega-6 levels in mothersduring and justafterpregnancy — in blood, umbilicalcordblood, and earlybreastmilk (colostrum). Then, theyassessed the children’s IQ scores at age 5–6. To go further, the researchersalsoexaminedgenesknown to affect how the body processes omega-3 and omega-6 fattyacids.
Intriguing Links BetweenFattyAcids and Intelligence
The analyses revealed important associations. Childrenwhosemothershad high levels of long-chain omega-3 and lowlevels of long-chain omega-6 during the perinatalperiodscoredhigher on IQ tests, particularly in verbal IQ. In addition, a profile characterized by high levels of both long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 in colostrum wasalsolinked to higher IQ scores in children.
Using a geneticanalysismethod, the researchersevensuggestedthatthis latter profile (rich in long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 in colostrum) might have a beneficialeffect on non-verbal IQ. Conversely, the analysissuggeststhat a profile marked by high levels of certain omega-6 types — namelylinoleicacid (LA) and dihomo-gamma-linolenicacid (DGLA) — couldbeassociatedwithlower non-verbal IQ.
TowardBetterNutritionalGuidelines?
The findingsfromthisstudystronglysuggestthatexposure to specific types of omega-3 and omega-6 duringpregnancy and breastfeedingplays a key role in children’s cognitive development. Thesediscoveries highlight the importance of closelyexaminingmaternaldiets to improvenutritionalrecommendationsthat support the healthydevelopment of future generations. In otherwords, choosing the “right fats” duringthis crucial periodcouldpositively influence children’s cognitive abilities.
