A clinical deficiency in essential fatty acids is rare but can occur if certain risk factors are present.
Poor intake or malabsorption:
(1) cystic fibrosis
(2) acrodermatitis enteropathica
(3) fat malabsorption
(4) AIDS
(5) anorexia nervosa
(6) severe malnutrition
Increased requirements:
(1) after severe trauma
(2) after severe burn
(3) with prolonged infection or sepsis
Nutritional replacement:
(1) patients receiving long term parenteral nutrition with high glucose but without lipid
(2) refeeding in kwashiorkor with a high protein, low fat diet
Miscellaneous
(1) neonates, especially premature infants (low stores, increased requirements)
(2) peripheral vascular disease (? associated with concurrent bowel ischemia)
(3) multiple sclerosis
