Examining the Relationship Between Plasma Choline Status and Dietary Intake of Choline in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Choline is an essential nutrient for maternal health and fetal development of which eggs are the richest source in the typical American diet. A single egg could make a significant difference in choline intake and ultimately plasma choline status. Objective: To determine choline intake from eggs in a population and if this intake predicts choline, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin status in pregnant women. Design: Choline intake from eggs of a subset 357 women from the KUDOS trial at the University of Kansas Medical Center was estimated. Plasma choline, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin status was analyzed using Bligh and Dyer on 201 subjects with available plasma. Simple regression was used to determine presence of significant relationships between choline intake and plasma choline, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. Results: Women in this study consumed a median of 44.5 mg of choline from eggs daily. No significant correlation was found between choline intake from eggs and plasma choline, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin. Conclusion: The median choline intake from eggs was less than 10% of the AI for pregnant women. Dietary egg intake was not related to markers of choline status.