EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION ON THE ERYTHROCYTE FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION ANDPLASMA VITAMIN-E LEVELS OF PAKISTANI CHILDREN

Erythrocyte fatty acids and plasma vitamin E concentrations were deter mined in 47 grade 2, and 21 grade 3 malnourished Pakistani children (a ges 4-56 months). Data were compared with those of 26 age- and sex-mat ched apparently healthy controls. Evaluation with three statistical ap proaches revealed that both grade ? and grade 3 malnourished children had decreased erythrocyte omega 6 fatty acids and to a lesser extent d ecreased omega 3 fatty acids. These decreases were compensated for by increased omega 9 fatty acids. The patients tended to have lower plasm a vitamin E concentrations. We conclude that malnourished Pakistani ch ildren have low essential fatty acid status, notably those of the omeg a 6 series. The combination of low erythrocyte 22:6 omega 3 and a low 22:5 omega 6/22:4 omega 6 ratio in grade 2 patients suggests low Delta 4-desaturation activity, which may be due to impaired peroxisomal bet a-oxidation.