The biochemical essential fatty acid (EFA) status of neonates born after normal and hypertensive pregnancies (PIH) and that of their mothers was assessed by measuring the fatty acid composition of phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol esters (CE) of umbilical cord serum and maternal serum, respectively. Relative contents of linoleic acid of serum PL and CE were significantly lower in mothers with PIH compared to normal pregnancies. Most other (n-6) polyenes in PL tended to be higher under hypertensive conditions. Total maternal (n-3) polyenes of serum PL were significantly higher in PIH, mainly due to clupanodonic acid, 22:5 (n-3), and cervonic acid, 22:6 (n-3). Total maternal (n-7) and (n-9) fatty acids were also significantly higher in PIH (PL and CE). The results indicate that PIH is associated with a relative increased unsaturation of maternal serum PL, which might facilitate the placental transfer of long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids. As a result, the neonatal EFA status after PIH only slightly differs from normal.