Screening for essential fatty acid deficiency in at risk infants. 2009

Christopher J Pavlovski
clbrpav@bigpond.net.au

Essential fatty acids are critical during the initial years of infancy and are necessary for brain development, visual maturity, and cardiovascular health. Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) develops where there is inadequate status of omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. This paper raises the idea and question of whether screening for EFAD in at risk infants is beneficial and assesses the efficacy of introducing this as a preventative clinical measure. The introduction of the screening program is analysed against the criteria outlined by the UK National Screening Committee. Screening to detect EFAD in at risk infants satisfies many of the criteria proposed by the UK screening committee, including condition assessed, accepted screening tests, and screening program fundamentals. While a range of benefits are reported in the treatment of fatty acid deficiencies, several areas require further investigation prior to establishment. Hence, a trial screening program is proposed to more fully analyse the cost-benefits.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D005228 Fatty Acids, Essential Long chain organic acid molecules that must be obtained from the diet. Examples are LINOLEIC ACIDS and LINOLENIC ACIDS. Acids, Essential Fatty,Essential Fatty Acids
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor

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