[Essential fatty acid deficiency in childhood].

Essential fatty acid deficiency can develop in man as the consequence of an inadequate diet or fatty acid malabsorption. Daily requirements in childhood vary from 1 to 4 caloric percent. Many abnormalities are described following essential fatty acid deficiency, such as cessation of growth, dermatitis, loss of hair, increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, histological abnormalities and disturbances of biochemical and physiological processes. These disorders can be explained as the result of a disturbed membrane structure and function, due to an abnormal serum fatty acid composition. This is also important in diagnosis of essential fatty acid deficiency. Supplementation of essential fatty acids can be realised by oral and parenteral route or by cutaneous application. A patient is described with an essential fatty acid deficiency. Cutaneous application of a linoleic acid rich mixture resulted in an enhanced growth velocity.