Letter: Essential-fatty-acid metabolism in cystic fibrosis.

6 patients with proven cystic fibrosis and a wide variety of Schwachman 
clinical scores were studied and the controls were 10 healthy children 
undergoing minor elective surgical procedures. The results show that for children 
with cystic fibrosis there are not only decreased proportions of essential 
fatty acids but that 20:3 omega-9 is found in all cases. 
Our results suggest that there is no intrinsic defect of the 
desaturating system in cystic fibrosis and that the pattern of essential-fatty-acid 
deficiency is entirely similar to that found in dietary deficiency of 
essential fatty acids. A further significant finding is the occurance if 
20:3 omega-9 in apparently healthy children, particularly the very young. This 
is probably diet-related and emphasises the young child's very large requirement 
for essential fatty acids for membrane synthesis. The need for adequate 
polyunsaturated fatty acids in childhood cannot be overstated, whether they be 
for normal membrane synthesis or lowering of serum-lipids, giving possible protection 
against cardiovascular disease. 