Fatty acid deficiency profile in children with food allergy managed with elimination diets

Aim: To evaluate plasma fatty acid (FA) composition of children with food allergy undergoing elimination diets that avoided the offending antigens. Methods: Twenty-five children ( 14 male, 11 female) aged 3.8 +/- 1.6 years (range 2-7 years) affected of multiple food allergy and managed with elimination diets participated in a cross-sectional study. Results of plasma fatty acids were compared with data obtained in 61 healthy children. Results: The patients had significantly lower values for plasma content in total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and long-chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.001) and particularly, in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (20:5 omega 3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (22:6 omega 3) (p < 0.001). Moreover, all established indices (essential fatty acid [EFA] index ((omega 3 + omega 6)/(omega 7 + omega 9)) (p < 0.001) and sufficiency of docosahexaenoic acid index (C22:6 omega 3/C22:5 omega 6) (p < 0.001)) confirmed the presence of EFA deficiency. Conclusion: Children with food allergy managed with restricted intake of foods such as milk, egg, fish and vegetables are at risk of developing a deficiency in EFA and particularly in w3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are especially necessary for adequate growth, neurological development and cardiovascular health.