The Correlation Between the n-6:n-3 Ratio and Inflammatory Markers in Small for Gestational Age (SGA) Infants Compared With Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) Infants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Numerous studies have recommended the use of n-3 PUFA supplementation during human pregnancy and lactation for the prevention of preterm birth, beneficial effects on fetal development, visual and cognitive development and other functional outcomes of the infants. The aim of the present study is to assess the correlation between ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acid and inflammation markers in SGA infants compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. The investigators hypothesize that in SGA infants n-3 and n-6 fatty acid concentrations in cord blood will differ from those observed in AGA and might correlate with the level of circulating mediators.

Official Title
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The Correlation Between the n-6:n-3 Ratio and Inflammatory Markers in Small for Gestational Age (SGA) Infants Compared With Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) Infants

Conditions
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Small for Gestational Age Infants, Appropriate for Gestational Age Infants

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Blood test


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Mothers of SGA infants ( above 35 week of gestation) Mothers of term and near-term AGA infants Exclusion Criteria: Maternal chronic diseases, smoking, diabetes, alcohol use, pregnancy-associated hypertension and pre-eclampsia Neonatal depression Congenital malformations Intrauterine infections Chromosomal aberrations Mothers interested in cord blood banking

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Blood test in Mothers of SGA Infants<br>In mothers of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) Infants, maternal and cord blood test will be performed | Procedure: Blood test<br>* Blood will be drawn from mother's vein and from the cord to test for n-6:n-3 ratio and inflammatory markers: CRP, IL-6, TPO and TNF-alpha markers<br>|
| Blood test in Mothers of AGA infants<br>In mothers of Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) Infants, maternal and cord blood test will be performed | Procedure: Blood test<br>* Blood will be drawn from mother's vein and from the cord to test for n-6:n-3 ratio and inflammatory markers: CRP, IL-6, TPO and TNF-alpha markers<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cord blood analysis | Determination of the cord blood values of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TPO, TNF-alpha) and of the n-6:n-3 ratio | at time of delivery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maternal blood analysis | Determination of the maternal blood values of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TPO, TNF-alpha) and of n-6:n-3 ratio | at time of delivery |