High-Oleic Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food Maintains Docosahexaenoic Acid Status in Severe Malnutrition. Issue 1 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hsieh, Ji-Cheng; Liu, Lei; Zeilani, Mamane; Ickes, Scott; Trehan, Indi; Maleta, Ken; Craig, Christina; Thakwalakwa, Chrissie; Singh, Lauren; Brenna, J. Thomas; Manary, Mark J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Volume 61:Issue 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pediatric gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Nutrition -- Periodicals; Digestive System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Infant Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- Periodicals; Child; 618.923
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-2116

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec> <title>Objectives:</title> <p>Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is the preferred treatment for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition. It contains large amounts of linoleic acid and little α-linolenic acid, which may reduce the availability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to the recovering child. A novel high-oleic RUTF (HO-RUTF) was developed with less linoleic acid to determine its effect on DHA and EPA status.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical effectiveness trial treating rural Malawian children with severe acute malnutrition. Children were treated with either HO-RUTF or standard RUTF. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid status was measured on enrollment and after 4 weeks and compared between the 2 intervention groups.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Among the 141 children enrolled, 48 of 71 receiving HO-RUTF and 50 of 70 receiving RUTF recovered. Plasma phospholipid samples were analyzed from 43 children consuming HO-RUTF and 35 children consuming RUTF. The change in DHA content during the first 4 weeks was +4% and −25% in the HO-RUTF and RUTF groups, respectively (<italic>P</italic> = 0.04). For EPA, the change in content was 63% and −24% in the HO-RUTF and RUTF groups, respectively (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). For arachidonic acid, the change in content was −3% and 13% in the HO-RUTF and RUTF groups, respectively (<italic>P</italic> < 0.009).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>The changes in DHA and EPA seen in the children treated with HO-RUTF warrant further investigation because they suggest that HO-RUTF support improved polyunsaturated fatty acid status, necessary for neural development and recovery.</p> </sec> </abstract>