Resumen

BOSCH, Virgilio et al. Long chain essential fatty acids of oral mucosa cells in pre-school Venezuelan children: Regional and socioeconomic strata differences. Arch Venez Puer Ped [online]. 2013, vol.76, n.2, pp.61-67. ISSN 0004-0649.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for growth and function of several organs and biochemical systems in the child. Objective: Document the level of fatty acids (FA) in Venezuela preschool children to obtain data on their average, standard deviation and its relationship with socioeconomic status and geographic location. Methodology: A cross-sectional study included 191 preschool children from Miranda, Nueva Esparta, Bolívar States and Orinoquia coming from different socioeconomic strata according to the Graffar-Méndez-Castellano classification system. The FA content of glycerophospholipids fraction in oral mucosal cells was analyzed by the method of Klinger and colleagues with minor modification. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package StatCrunch. Results: The Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has a bimodal distribution pattern whilst the Arachidonic acid is Gaussian. DHA is higher in the better-off socioeconomic groups (Strata I-III) than in the worst-off groups (Strata V-V) in Caracas, whose values are lower than 0.2%. This situation is reversed (Strata V-V) > Strata (I-III)) in Margarita. The indigenous population from Orinoquia has high levels of DHA, similar to those reported in affluent countries. The Trans fatty acid isomer content of the majority of children was low (<0.5%). Conclusions: There are differences in the FA content of Venezuelan pre-school children with respect to their socioeconomic and geographical regions. Low levels of DHA found in some urban groups of pre-school children require future intervention studies with FA fortified food.

Palabras clave : Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; Docosahexanoic Acid; Arachidonic Acid; Socio economic strata; Oral Mucosa; Preschool children; Venezuela.

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