title: Essential fatty acids: the effects of dietary supplementation among children with recurrent respiratory infections.
abstract: The impact of dietary supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFA) on recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) in children was evaluated by means of a randomized cross-over double-blind study. Linoleic acid (596 mg/day) and alpha-linolenic acid [855 mg/day] as a commercial preparation or placebo (olive oil) were administered for two consecutive winter seasons (November to February, T0-T120) to 20 children affected by RRI, aged between 36 and 49 months. Plasma levels of n-3 and n-6 metabolites increased after the administration of EFA. The number of infective episodes, days' fever and days' absence from school were reduced significantly during the observation period (extended from T120 to T180) in children receiving EFA supplementation. Our results suggest that n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may play a favourable role in the defence mechanism of these subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venuta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laudizi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bettelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beverelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turchetto
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000178:diet therapy*; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008041:Linoleic Acids; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D019787:Linoleic Acid