[Plasma fatty acids profile in paediatric cancer patients].
The small number of cases of cancer in children and the difficulties of research, have contributed to there being few studies on the metabolic and nutritional status of these patients. The main objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional and metabolic alterations in children with cancer, and specifically the plasma fatty acid profile after receiving chemotherapy, compared with a group of healthy children.


METHODS
We selected 12 children with cancer aged between 0 and 16, who had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy, one month before the study and were not end-stage disease. Nutritional survey was conducted, anthropometric measurements, general biochemical analysis and profile of fatty acids in plasma were evaluated.


RESULTS
No changes in anthropometric and nutritional biochemical parameters were detected. In the omega-6 fatty acids, lower values of linoleic and docosapentaenoic acid, and higher levels of gamma-linolenic acid, and normal levels of arachidonic acid were observed. In the omega-3, we found normal values of alpha-linolenic acid and docohexanoic acid, and lower values of eicosapentaenoic acid.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems glimpsed a partial deficiency in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with cancer, good nutrition and having received at least one cycle of chemotherapy. Further research is needed to allow specific supplementations.
Pediatra EBAP, Unidad de Metabolismo e Investigación Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España.
M J
MJ
de la Torre Aguilar
A
A
Cox Belmonte
M D
MD
Mesa-García
J L
JL
Pérez Navero
M M
MM
Gil-Campos
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004435:Eating; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009752:Nutritional Status
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated