Defective essential-fatty-acid metabolism in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (C.F.) is characterised by low serum levels of essential fatty 
acids (E.F.A.). However, the fatty-acid pattern does not totally resemble that 
of dietary E.F.A. deficiency. The differences suggest a reduction in the 
desaturation of E.F.S. It is not known whether this defect is 
the primary lesion in C.F. or is the result of tissue 
damage in the disease. It is proposed that C.F. patients might 
have increased linoleic-acid requirements, and possibly specific requirements for its desaturation 
products. 