Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Volume 83, Issue 1 , Pages 1-8, July 2010

The association of fatty acid deficiency symptoms (FADS) with actual essential fatty acid status in cheek cells☆

  • A. Kirby

      Affiliations

    • The Dyscovery Centre, Allt-yr-yn Campus, University of Wales, Newport NP20 5DA, UK
    • ,
  • A. Woodward

      Affiliations

    • The Dyscovery Centre, Allt-yr-yn Campus, University of Wales, Newport NP20 5DA, UK
    • ,
  • S. Jackson

      Affiliations

    • The Dyscovery Centre, Allt-yr-yn Campus, University of Wales, Newport NP20 5DA, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +441633432330; fax: +441633432331.
    • ,
  • Y. Wang

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, London Metropolitan University, UK
    • ,
  • M.A. Crawford

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, London Metropolitan University, UK

Received 22 December 2009; received in revised form 22 February 2010; accepted 24 February 2010. published online 01 April 2010.

Abstract 

Seven clinical symptoms have been utilised in several studies as a means of potentially identifying children with a deficiency in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was any correlation between parental reports of the frequency of these seven ‘fatty acid deficiency symptoms’ (FADS) with actual levels of fatty acids in buccal cell samples of 450 children aged 8–10 years old. Additionally, the relationship between FADS and cognitive test performance, ratings of attention and behaviour and other somatic complaints were explored.

The severity of reported FADS was not related to the levels of omega-6 or omega-3 in buccal cell samples. There was a relationship between parental reports of child behaviour and reported FADS; with high FADS being related to higher ratings of behaviour problems. Using FADS as a marker of PUFA deficiency may not be appropriate especially when assessing typically developing children.

Keywords: Fatty acid deficiency symptoms, Children, Omega-3, Buccal cells, Behaviour

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☆ Sources of support: This research was undertaken as part of a larger study financially supported by a grant from Seven Seas Ltd. No authors report a conflict of interest.

PII: S0952-3278(10)00079-7

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2010.02.035

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Volume 83, Issue 1 , Pages 1-8, July 2010

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