Serum fatty acid patterns in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies

The fatty acid pattern of serum lecithin was studied in 31 children with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN) of types specified in the classification of Dyck et al. (1975). In 30 children no relevant changes were revealed. The remaining patient had changes which were reversible and were considered to be independent of the polyneuropathy. It is concluded that primary defects of fatty acid metabolism do not characterize the well-defined types I, II and III of HMSN.