ABSTRACT
This chapter will address several aspects of fatty acid requirements speci c to the perinatal and neonatal period. It is not intended to cover all aspects of fatty acid needs and metabolism during development, since these topics have been reviewed extensively (Hamosh, 1987, 1988, 1991a; Innis, 1991, 1993; Giovannini et al., 1995; Koletzko, 1997). The supply of fatty acids to the newborn is in great measure dependent on the digestive and absorptive maturity of the gastrointestinal system (Hamosh, 1996; Hamosh and Hamosh, 1999); therefore, this aspect of neonatal function will be brie-y reviewed.
