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Essential fatty acid composition and correlates in children with severe acute malnutrition

Esther Babirekere-Iriso1, Lotte Lauritzen2, Charlotte Gylling Mortensen2

  • 1Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Science, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
|May 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Low hemoglobin and HIV infection further decrease PUFA levels, highlighting the need for increased PUFA intake during nutritional rehabilitation.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health in Low-Income Countries

Background:

  • Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is prevalent in low-income nations.
  • SAM is often linked to diminished blood levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze whole blood fatty acid composition in children with SAM.
  • To identify factors associated with PUFA levels in these children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study compared children with SAM to healthy controls.
  • Whole blood fatty acid profiles were measured.
  • Correlations with clinical data (hemoglobin, HIV status) were analyzed using multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

  • Children with SAM exhibited lower proportions of saturated fatty acids and higher monounsaturated fatty acids.
  • Total n-6 PUFA (including linoleic acid and arachidonic acid) and total n-3 PUFA (including docosahexaenoic acid) were reduced in SAM.
  • Lower hemoglobin and HIV infection were associated with decreased long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) levels.

Conclusions:

  • Children with SAM show reduced blood LCPUFA levels.
  • Factors like HIV infection and low hemoglobin contribute to lower LCPUFA, potentially due to reduced blood cell counts.
  • Nutrition interventions for SAM must prioritize adequate PUFA intake.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenEssential fatty acidsPolyunsaturated fatty acidsSevere acute malnutrition

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