Serum concentrations of individual monocarboxylic short-chain fatty acids C2-C6 in underweight children.

The serum concentrations of individual short-chain fatty acids containing 2-6 carbon atoms were studied in 12 underweight children. Mean n-butyric and iso-valeric acid levels were significantly elevated in underweight children, while those of n-valeric and iso-caproic acids were not significantly higher than in the control group. The level of total free fatty acids was also increased in the underweight group. A reduced enzymatic activity in fatty acid synthesis is supposed to be the factor underlying the impaired lipogenesis.