Essential fatty acid deficiency in Child
Synopsis

Essential fatty acid deficiency is rare, as almost all diets contain adequate amounts. It can be caused by gastrointestinal disorders or surgeries resulting in fat malabsorption, long-term parenteral nutrition without lipid supplementation, extremely low-fat diets, anorexia nervosa, alcohol use disorder, cystic fibrosis, and nephrotic syndrome. In most instances, this deficiency is associated with other nutritional deficiencies, such as kwashiorkor and marasmus. Because of their increased metabolic needs, infants – especially premature infants – are also at risk. Infants may be fed a diet low in essential fatty acids if given cow's milk.
The diagnosis is made based on clinical and laboratory features. The skin appears dry, scaly, and leathery with erythema. Intertriginous erosions, alopecia, hypopigmented hair, and petechiae may also be seen. Systemic features include failure to thrive, growth retardation, poor wound healing, thrombocytopenia, impaired reproductive health, abnormal liver and kidney function, increased susceptibility to infections, and neurologic damage.
The diagnosis can be made by measuring plasma linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic, and icosatrienoic acids.
The prognosis depends on the severity and coexistence of other nutritional deficiencies.
Codes
E71.30 – Disorder of fatty-acid metabolism, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
238114000 – Essential fatty acid deficiency
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