Objective

To determine reference values for fatty acid (FA) composition of serum glycerophospholipids (GPs) in children with a new high-throughput method.

Study design

The GP FA composition of 1326 serum samples obtained from a cohort of 951 children at 2 and 6 years, participating in the German Influences of Lifestyle Related Factors on the Immune System and the Development of Allergies in Childhood (LISA) study, was analyzed with a new high-throughput method. Only 2 simple preparation steps were necessary to obtain fatty acid methyl esters selectively from serum GPs. The FA status was determined by separating and quantifying the fatty acid methyl esters with high-resolution capillary gas chromatography.

Results

FA values in serum GPs were in very good agreement with other published values in serum or plasma phospholipids for most of the analyzed FAs. No major age and sex differences in GP FA composition were observed.

Conclusion

The serum GP FA values obtained from children aged 2 and 6 years may serve as reference values in clinical practice (eg, for monitoring and improving therapeutic interventions). Furthermore, they can serve as a reference point for interpreting FA values in clinical and epidemiological studies.