Essential fatty acid deficiency is rare in healthy adults and children who have a varied diet with adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (linoleic acid). Clinicians should be aware of the risk of essential fatty acid deficiency in specific populations that may have malabsorption syndromes, or for other reasons that severely limit fat intake, absorption absorption or transformation.

Essential fatty acid deficiency is rare in healthy adults and children who consume a varied diet with adequate amounts of the essential fatty acids linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (AL). Clinicians should be aware of the risk of essential fatty acid deficiency in certain populations who may have malabsorption syndromes, or other conditions that severely limit fat intake, absorption, or metabolism.

Essential fatty acid (D) deficiency can occur in both inpatients and outpatients. Patients with malabsorption due to pancreatic insufficiency or macroscopic resection are at risk, and it is important to recognize that other patient groups may develop essential fatty acid deficiency. This article provides a brief review of the role of essential fats, identifies those at risk, the clinical signs and symptoms associated with essential fatty acid deficiency, and recommendations for prevention and treatment.