Fatty acid composition of plasma lipid classes in healthy subjects from birth to young adulthood.

The fatty acid (FA) composition of plasma phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol esters (STE) was determined by high resolution capillary gas-chromatography in 115 apparently healthy subjects from birth to young adulthood. After birth, percentage contributions of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid increased, whereas long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased in all FA fractions. No difference in plasma FA composition was seen between groups of children aged 1-< 5, 5-<10 and 10-<15 years, except for a decrease of total saturated FA in STE between 1-<5 years (18.5%, wt/wt) and 10-<15 years (14.5%, P < 0.005). No difference was observed for the values of boys and girls. The results on plasma lipid FA distribution in children aged 1-15 years may be used as reference values for metabolic and nutritional investigations.