Fatty acids in normal and pathological pregnancies.

Long chain fatty acids, namely omega-3 and omega-6, are essential fatty acids and are necessary for proper pregnancy progression and fetal growth and development. Maternal fatty acid consumption and release of fatty acids from lipid stores provide increased availability of fatty acids for the placenta to transport to the growing fetus. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are then utilized for generation of signaling molecules, such as eicosanoids, and for promoting of growth and developmental, most notably in the nervous system.