title: Effects of malnutrition on the erythrocyte fatty acid composition and plasma vitamin E levels of Pakistani children.
abstract: Erythrocyte fatty acids and plasma vitamin E concentrations were determined in 47 grade 2 and 21 grade 3 malnourished Pakistani children (ages 4-56 months). Data were compared with those of 26 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Evaluation with three statistical approaches revealed that both grade 2 and grade 3 malnourished children had decreased erythrocyte omega6 fatty acids and to a lesser extent decreased omega3 fatty acids. These decreases were compensated for by increased omega9 fatty acids. The patients tended to have lower plasma vitamin E concentrations. We conclude that malnourished Pakistani children have low essential fatty acid status, notably those of the omega6 series. The combination of low erythrocyte 22:6omega3 and a low 22:5omega6/22:4omega6 ratio in grade 2 patients suggests low delta4-desaturation activity, which may be due to impaired peroxisomal beta-oxidation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Schnater
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seerat
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Muskiet
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Boersma
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D014810:Vitamin E