A therapeutic trial of fatty acid supplementation in cystic fibrosis.

Seven children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been treated for at least 
one year with intravenously administered soya oil emulsion. In all, an 
improvement of at least one biochemical abnormality in character with the 
disease appeared. The children's clinical course remains benign. This course is 
remarkably better than that of other children with CF treated without 
Intralipid in Auckland in the same period, though a placebo effect 
cannot be discounted. It is postulated that intravenous supplementation with essential 
fatty acid in CF may in turn partially correct an error 
of metabolism of prostaglandins present in the disease. 