Erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and preeclampsia risk in Peruvian women.

Objective: This case-control study was conducted in Lima, Peru, from June 1997 through January 1998 to assess whether alteration in maternal erythrocyte omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids was associated with increased risk of preeclampsia.

Methods: A total of 99 preeclampsia and 100 normotensive pregnant women were included. Maternal erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were determined using capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and expressed as micromolar (mM) concentrations.