Long chain nonesterified fatty acid patterns in plasma of healthy children and young adults in relation to age and sex.

In a large group of healthy Belgian children and young adults, the absolute and relative concentrations of nonesterified fatty acid patterns were determined by an appropriate gas-liquid chromatographic technique. The statistical analysis of the results showed that concentrations were dependent on age and sex. The absolute concentration of each fatty acid and the total nonesterified fatty acid concentration decreased exponentially with age and were significantly higher for girls than for boys. In addition, it was found that variation of relative concentrations with age was rather small. Furthermore, the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher and that of saturated acid significantly lower for girls than for boys.