[Fatty acid levels in plasma phospholipids in the cord blood of Austrian and Hungarian newborn infants].

Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in venous cord blood of 13 Austrian and 13 Hungarian infants was determined by high resolution capillary gas liquid chromatography. Values of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid [13.69 (12.57, 14.30) versus 19.79 (11.74, 22.83), % weight/weight, median (first and third quartile), Austrian versus Hungarian] did not differ between the two groups. Values of alpha-linolenic acid were slightly higher in Hungarian than in Austrian infants, whereas docosahexaenoic acid values did not differ [3.75 (2.80, 4.05)] versus 4.11 (1.55, 5.19)]. Neither saturated, nor cis monounsaturated fatty acid values differed between the two groups. Values of trans isometric fatty acids were significantly higher in Hungarian than in Austrian infants [total: 0.81 (0.70, 1.10) versus 1.19 (0.92, 1.46) p < 0.01]. Analysis of fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in venous cord blood of Austrian and Hungarian infants did not reveal major differences in the availability of essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Significantly higher contribution of trans isometric fatty acids to plasma phospholipids in Hungarian than in Austrian infants indicates higher dietary exposure of pregnant women to trans fatty acids in Hungary.