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Association of blood fatty acids and growth in Tanzanian children 2‐6 years of age.
Author(s) -
Hahn Samantha,
Jumbe Theresia,
Harris William,
Kinabo Joyce,
Fenton Jenifer
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.31.6
Subject(s) - palmitoleic acid , oleic acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , essential fatty acid , medicine , chemistry , biology , linoleic acid , biochemistry
In Tanzania, 42% of all children below five years of age are stunted. Dietary essential fatty acids (EFA) are critical for growth and development. However, EFA status of Tanzanian children is poorly described. The objective of this study was to assess the association between red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid levels and growth parameters in Tanzanian children 2‐6 years of age. A drop of blood was collected on an antioxidant treated card and analyzed for fatty acids by OmegaQuant (n=335). Weight, height, and head circumference were measured and z‐scores were calculated using WHO Anthro/plus. Within the sample, 70% of the children were EFA deficient as demonstrated by a triene/tetraene (T/T) ratio<0.022. No significant associations were observed between Z‐scores and T/T ratio or Mead acid (markers of EFA deficiency). However, height‐for‐age was positively associated with total polyunsaturated fatty acids and n‐6 fatty acids (p<.05). Height‐for‐age was inversely correlated with palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, total n‐9, and total monounsaturated fatty acids (p<.05). Linoelaidic acid was positively correlated with weight‐for‐age (p<.05). BMI‐for‐age inversely correlated with eicosadienoic acid, and a positively correlated with oleic acid (p<.05). Weight‐for‐heightwas inverselycorrelated with docosatetraenoic acid (p<.01) and lignoceric acid (p<.05). These data indicate that there is an association between essential and non‐essential fatty acids and growth parameters in Tanzanian children aged 2 to 6. Funding Source: USAID/iAGRE.