Plasma fatty acids in children with grade III protein-energy malnutrition in its different clinical forms: marasmus, marasmic kwashiorkor, and kwashiorkor

Plasma fatty acid patterns were analysed in 15 children aged 2 to 42 months (median = 12 months) admitted to the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, suffering from grade II protein-energy malnutrition in its different clinical forms: marasmus (n = 5), marasmic kwashiorkor (n = 5), and kwashiorkor (n = 5). A control group of eight children from the same population aged 3 to 22 months (median = 12 months) was also studied. Plasma fatty acids were analysed by gas liquid chromatography. The plasma fatty acid patterns detected in grade II protein-energy malnutrition indicated changes characteristic of essential fatty acid deficiency, with lower linoleic acid (C18:2) levels in the three group (p