[Fatty acids in the serum of hypotrophic neonates]

Using gas chromatography, Carlo Erba 2531 measurements were performed and the composition of serum fatty acids in 9 hypotrophic human newborns (the mean birth = 2184 g, the mean gestation age = 39 weeks) was evaluated. Fatty acids were detected as methylesters and their levels were compared with fatty acids levels of control healthy neonates born at term (n = 32). In the hypotrophic newborns the content of saturated fatty acids (short and medium-chain in particular) significantly increased, the total amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) series n-3 and n-6 significantly decreased and the proportion of arachidonic acid remained unchanged in comparison with the control group.