Fatty Acid Absorption and Metabolism in Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

Abstract

Fatty acid absorption was studied in children with protein-calorie malnutrition upon their admission to the hospital and at intervals during treatment with casein-supplemented skimmed milk formulas with and without added oil from the day of hospitalization and in two children given formula with added oil. Balance studies were repeated after 9–11 days and after 17–22 days of treatment. Quantitative and chromatographic data obtained from fatty acid analysis of fecal lipids indicated that a significant amount of endogenous fat was excreted, and that this amount was little affected by feeding diets containing a vegetable oil. Oils in amounts of 33 g daily given at the time of hospitalization did not cause diarrhea or vomiting. Both quantitative and chromatographic data reveal good absorption of orally administered diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids. In contrast, after nearly 3 weeks of treatment, the level of excreted fatty acids was increased when butterfat was the primary source of dietary fat.