Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids profile in plasma phospholipids of hyperphenylalaninemic children on unrestricted diet.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to examine whether hyperphenylalaninemic children on unrestricted diet (MHP) may exhibit a different LCPUFA profile from PKU or healthy children in plasma phospholipids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five MHP children (age 9-14 years) were age and sex matched with 45 PKU and 45 healthy children. Fatty acids were determined and expressed as % of total fatty acids. RESULTS: MHP children showed docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels higher than PKU children (mean difference, 0.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.02%-0.38%), although difference was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons, and lower levels than healthy children (-0.8%; -1.01% to -0.59%). Concentration of n-3 PUFA was higher in MHP than PKU children (0.6%; 0.4% to 0.8%), CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that low DHA levels in plasma phospholipids not only are evident in PKU but also may occur in MHP children, who are on unrestricted diet, as compared to healthy children.