Table 2 Maternal FA composition (% of total FA) and FA category defined by the reference values (RV)
Fatty acids (%) |  | Mean ± SD | Below RV | Within RV | Above RV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SFA | |||||
 Myristic acid | C14:0 | 0.29 ± 0.08 | 1 (0.8) | 110 (90.2) | 11 (9.0) |
 Palmitic acid | C16:0 | 21.8 ± 1.02 | 27 (22.1) | 89 (73.0) | 6 (4.9) |
 Stearic acid | C18:0 | 16.1 ± 0.76 | 0 (0.0) | 114 (93.4) | 8 (6.6) |
MUFA | |||||
 Palmitoleic acid | C16:1n-7 | 0.15 ± 0.06 | 92 (75.4) | 30 (24.6) | 0 (0.0) |
 cis vaccenic acid | C18:1n-7 | 0.85 ± 0.11 | 1 (0.8) | 107 (87.7) | 14 (11.5) |
 Oleic acid | C18:1n-9 | 11.0 ± 0.94 | 109 (89.3) | 13 (10.7) | 0 (0.0) |
n-6 PUFA | |||||
 Linoleic acid | C18:2n-6 | 8.43 ± 1.13 | 63 (51.6) | 56 (45.9) | 3 (2.5) |
 Gamma-linolenic acid | C18:3n-6 | 0.05 ± 0.01 | 16 (13.1) | 106 (86.9) | 0 (0.0) |
 Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid | C20:3n-6 | 1.52 ± 0.35 | 30 (24.6) | 85 (69.7) | 7 (5.7) |
 Arachidonic acid | C20:4n-6 | 14.3 ± 1.26 | 1 (0.8) | 26 (21.3) | 95 (77.9) |
 Total n-6 PUFA |  | 24.3 ± 1.51 | 8 (6.6) | 89 (73.0) | 25 (20.5) |
n-3 PUFA | |||||
 Alpha-linolenic acid | C18:3n-3 | 0.13 ± 0.05 | 10 (8.2) | 90 (73.8) | 22 (18.0) |
 Eicosapentaenoic acid | C20:5n-3 | 0.51 ± 0.25 | 106 (86.9) | 16 (13.1) | 0 (0.0) |
 Docosahexaenoic acid | C22:6n-3 | 5.27 ± 1.42 | 67 (54.9) | 53 (43.4) | 2 (1.6) |
 Total n-3 PUFA |  | 5.92 ± 1.59 | 87 (71.3) | 35 (28.7) | 0 (0.0) |
tFA | |||||
 trans vaccenic acid | C18:1n-7 t | 0.13 ± 0.03 | NA | 115 (94.3) | 7 (5.7) |
 Elaidic acid | C18:1n-9 t | 0.04 ± 0.01 | NA | 119 (97.5) | 3 (2.5) |
Omega-3 index |  | 5.79 ± 1.60 | 108 (88.5) | 12 (9.8) | 2 (1.6) |
n-6/n-3 ratioa |  | 4.44 ± 1.36 | 0 (0.0) | 53 (43.4) | 69 (56.6) |
AA/EPA ratio |  | 34.5 ± 16.8 | 0 (0.0) | 3 (2.5) | 119 (97.5) |
LA/DGLA ratio |  | 5.82 ± 1.47 | NA | 17 (13.9) | 105 (86.1) |