Altered serum free fatty acid profiles in necrotizing enterocolitis and their associations with peripheral leukocyte counts: a case-control study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Whether altered fatty acid metabolism contributes to the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains unclear. Serum free fatty acid profiles and their relationships with peripheral leukocyte counts in affected neonates are poorly characterized. This study aimed to compare serum free fatty acid profiles between neonates with and without NEC and investigated the associations between free fatty acids and peripheral leukocyte counts. Methods: This case-control study included neonates diagnosed with NEC and matched controls. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify individual and grouped free fatty acids, including short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain free fatty acids, as well as polyunsaturated free fatty acids (PUFAs). Pearson correlation was used to explore associations between free fatty acids and peripheral leukocyte counts. Results: NEC infants showed significantly lower serum levels of several long-chain free fatty acids compared to controls, including stearic acid (C18:0), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6c), eicosenoic acid (C20:1), eicosadienoic acid (C20:2), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6), and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3). PUFAs, especially n-6 PUFAs, were also significantly reduced. Subgroup analyses of surgical NEC and preterm NEC confirmed consistent patterns. Furthermore, serum levels of specific free fatty acids positively correlated with lymphocyte counts, suggesting links between free fatty acid metabolism and immune function. Conclusions: NEC is associated with substantial alterations in serum free fatty acid profiles, particularly reductions in long-chain fatty acids. These changes may be associated with immune dysregulation in NEC. Our findings highlight the need for further studies on fatty acid-targeted nutritional interventions in NEC prevention and management.
Source: Translational Pediatrics
Institutions: First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University
Language: English
Topic: Infant Nutrition and Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223305077