Determination of plasma fatty acid composition in neonates by gas chromatography

Total fatty acids in plasma of neonates have been analysed as their methyl esters by gas chromatography. They were separated on a capillary column coated with a SP-2380 stationary phase. As little as 100 microliters of plasma is used for the analysis. The extraction procedure was performed with dichloromethane-methanol (2:1) and fatty acids were methylated with boron trifluoride-methanol. The quantification of fatty acids is based on an internal standard method. Absolute values (micrograms fatty acid per 100 microliters plasma) are given together with relative values (%). At a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, the detection limits for flame ionisation detection are between 0.08 to 0.51 ng. The high sensitivity and precision permits the effective determination of the fatty acids in neonate plasma.