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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

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Published on: June 2, 2022
Plasma Linoleic Acid Is Associated With Pediatric Sepsis Phenotype and Acute Kidney Injury
Ivan E Saraiva1, Dana Y Fuhrman2, Kate F Kernan2
1Program for Critical Care Nephrology, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Higher levels of linoleic acid (LA) and its oxylipins are linked to a severe sepsis phenotype (D) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill children. This suggests a role for lipid metabolism in sepsis-related organ dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Linoleic acid (LA) is a dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid and a precursor to inflammatory oxylipins.
- The specific role of LA and its oxylipins in pediatric sepsis and organ injury remains unclear.
- Pediatric sepsis phenotype D is associated with high rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), multiple organ failure, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma LA and LA-derived oxylipins with sepsis phenotype D in critically ill children.
- To determine if LA and its oxylipins are associated with AKI in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A subset of 108 pediatric sepsis patients from the PHENOMS cohort was analyzed using untargeted metabolomics.
- Plasma samples were used to measure LA and LA-derived oxylipins.
- Outcomes included sepsis phenotype, AKI (creatinine > 1 mg/dL and oliguria < 0.5 mL/kg/hr), other organ dysfunctions, and hospital mortality.
Main Results:
- Elevated LA levels were significantly associated with sepsis phenotype D (OR, 1.67; P = 0.03).
- LA-derived oxylipins (9-HODE/13-HODE) were also associated with sepsis phenotype D (OR, 1.26; P = 0.04).
- While LA showed a trend, 9-HODE/13-HODE was significantly associated with AKI (OR, 1.27; P = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Plasma LA levels and LA-derived oxylipins are associated with pediatric sepsis phenotype D and AKI.
- These findings highlight the potential role of lipid metabolism in sepsis-induced organ dysfunction.
- Further mechanistic studies are warranted to explore these associations in sepsis pathophysiology.
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