title: Correction of essential fatty acid deficiency in newborn infants by cutaneous application of sunflower-seed oil.
abstract: Two newborn infants receiving long-term, fat-free parenteral nutrition developed essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. Biochemical evidence of EFA deficiency was documented in plasma, red blood cells, and adipose tissue and included a decrease in arachidonic and linoleic acids, an increase in 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid, palmitoleic and oleic acids and a trienoic/tetraenoic ratio of more than 0.4. Cutaneous application of sunflower-seed oil, a source rich in the essential fat linoleic acid, rapidly reversed the clinical and biochemical manifestations of deficiency in plasma.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000287:Administration, Topical; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010743:Phospholipids