SCALY SKIN ALTERATIONS AND PLASMA FATTY-ACIDS IN CONGOLESE CHILDREN

Scaly skin alterations on the surface of the legs are frequently found in African children. Because similar signs occur in essential fatty a cid deficiency, the fatty acid status of a group of African children w ith (n = 10) and without (n = 27) such skin alterations was determined . Analysis of the fatty acid composition of the plasma phospholipid an d cholesterol ester fractions as well as clinical examinations were pe rformed. Constantly low levels of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid w ere not associated with the occurrence of scaly skin alterations, whic h were also found in children with normal values for these polyunsatur ated fatty acids. It is suggested that scaly skin alterations in Congo lese children are not a sign of essential fatty acid deficiency.