Essential fatty acid deficiency associated with total parenteral nutrition
Faulkner, W.J.; Flint, L.M.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 144(5): 665-667
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 403626 Document Number: 114958
Essential fatty acid deficiency is a clinical and biochemical entity encountered in both adults and children. Especially at risk are those patients maintained by fat-free total parenteral nutrition. Linoleic acid is the substance most responsible for the deficien state and essential to its correction. A ratio of trienoic-tetraenoic fatty acids of 0.4 or greater is diagnositc of a chemical deficiency. A severe deficiency affects polyunsatured fatty acids, in both plasma and tissues and, thus, many systems of the body. Mulitple blood transfusions have not proved sufficient to correct chemical deficiency. A recently marketed, commercially available fat supplement, however, may be useful in preventing the problem.