Fatty acid metabolism in infants with functional and inflamatory bowel diseases

Summary. Over past years, considerable attention is paid to the role of fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated, in the development of various gastrointestinal diseases, among which the most common are functional and inflammatory bowel diseases. The need for studies of fatty acid disorders is to clarify the pathogenetic mechanisms in which fatty acids participate in the development intestinal pathology. The aim of this study to elaborate the optimal preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce the incidence of these diseases and provide the effective treatment, especially in early childhood . Objective: To study the profile features of fatty acids in infants with functional and inflammatory bowel diseases. Patients and methods: Were examined 149 children aged from 6 months to 3 years, divided into 3 groups: 52 children with chronic non-ulcerative non-specific colitis, 49 children with functional constipation and 47 children with functional diarrhea. Verification of diagnoses was provided in accordance with the «Standardised cinical protocols of medical care for children with digestive diseases». Analysis of fatty acid's profile was evaluated by the method blood gas chromatography. Results: All the examined children had fatty acid disorders. The level of saturated fatty acids was decreased and the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was increased in the expence of omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particularly, linoleic and arachidonic acids. The greatest changes were observed in patients with chronic non-ulcerative non-specific colitis which can be considered as important links in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation. In functional bowel disorders imbalance of fatty acids is likely to be a risk factor in development significant lesions in the intestinal mucosa. Conclusions: Given the presence of lipid imbalance in inflammatory bowel disease as well as in intestinal functional disorders, which is characterized by a significant increase in omega-6 PUFA, it is reasonable to recommend to apply the prescriptions or functional foods, which contain omega-3 PUFA namely , eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids