Pediatr Crit Care Med

SCCM 2026: Elevated linoleic acid levels linked to high-risk pediatric sepsis phenotype

March 25, 2026

Presented at the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) 2026 Congress, a new study reports that higher plasma linoleic acid (LA) and its lipoxygenase‑derived oxylipins (9‑HODE/13‑HODE) are associated with pediatric sepsis phenotype D—a high‑risk clinical subtype marked by acute kidney injury (AKI), multiple organ failure, and increased mortality risk.

In a metabolomics analysis of 108 children from the PHENOMS cohort, elevated LA was associated with phenotype D (odds ratio [OR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–2.65), and LA‑derived oxylipins showed similar associations (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01–1.57). Oxylipins were also associated with AKI (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03–1.56), though neither LA nor its metabolites predicted hospital mortality.

Clinical takeaway: Elevated LA or LA‑derived oxylipins may flag children at greater risk for severe sepsis and AKI. These emerging metabolic markers could support earlier risk stratification and guide future research on lipid‑driven pathways in sepsis.

Source:

Saraiva IE, et al. (2026, March 20). Pediatr Crit Care Med. Plasma Linoleic Acid Is Associated With Pediatric Sepsis Phenotype and Acute Kidney Injury. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41860304/