Fatty acids, prostaglandins, and cystic fibrosis

Abstract

The papers by Elliott1 and by Campbell et al.2 in this issue of Pediatrics suggest a new approach toward etiology, pathophysiology, and therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). As in Elliott's original report of the effects of intravenous fatty acid therapy for CF,3 the patients in the present report fared remarkably well, particularly in regard to weight gain. As only 18 calories/kg of body weight were infused every three weeks, it is unlikely the increments in weight were due to calories. As noted in both papers1,2 previous investigators have also described essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in CF, and every experimental animal in which EFA deficiency has been produced has shown growth failure.