Serum fatty acids are positively associated with changes in systemic blood pressure throughout pregnancy

Objectives: To assess whether serum concentrations of saturated (SFAs), polyunsaturated (PUFAs), and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids are associated with changes in blood pressure (BP) throughout pregnancy. Study design: Prospective cohort. Main outcome measures: Longitudinal measurements of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP. Methods: Two hundred twenty-three healthy pregnant women were recruited in a public health center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 2009 and 2011. Fasting blood samples and BP measurements were obtained at the 1st (5th–13th weeks), 2nd (20^th–26th) and 3rd trimester (30th–36th). Crude and adjusted (maternal age, education, energy intake, gestational body weight change, leptin concentrations, early pre-pregnancy BMI, leisure time physical activity prior to pregnancy and linear and quadratic gestational weeks) longitudinal linear mixed-effects models were employed. Results: SBP and DBP decreased from the 1st to the 2nd trimester and slightly increased from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (P < 0.001). In the adjusted model (ß and 95% CI), total SFAs [0.005 (0.001–0.008); P = 0.008], total MUFAs [0.005 (0.001–0.009); P = 0.019] and total n-6 PUFAs [0.005 (0.001–0.009); P = 0.025] were positively associated with SBP throughout pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal serum concentrations of total SFAs, MUFAs and n-6 PUFAs were positively associated with BP levels in normotensive pregnant women.