Abstract
In order to determine the efficiency of MCT diet to simulate the intrauterine growth rate and body composition, we studied 8 VLBW infants and compared them with the fetus of the same postconceptional age. Sixteen studies, combining open-circuit indirect calorimetry, anthropometry and macronutrient balance were performed on 8 growing VLBW infants (x±S.E.: BW 1106±35 g; Gest age 29±0.5wks; study weight 1417±66 g; age 26±3.4 d).
Weight (16.42±0.96 g/kg.d) and length (1.25±0.07 cm/wk) gain were similar to those of the fetus (wt: 13.9 g/kg.d; length 1.24 cm/wk). The accretion rate of protein was 20% higher than that of the fetus, fat accretion was twice as high.
CONCLUSIONS: (1) An MCT containing diet induces a higher protein accretion than observed during intrauterine development, and is accompanied by a concomitant increase in fat deposition and reduced body fluid content. (2) An increase in lean body mass greater than found in the fetus has been demonstrated for the first time in the VLBW infant. Thus, feeding an MCT formula might open new perspectives for studying dietary effect on “quality growth” of the low birthweight infant.
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Aerde, J., Sauer, P., Heim, T. et al. 746 EFFECT OF MEDIUM-CHAIN-TRIGLYCERIDE (MCT) DIET ON ENERGY AND MACRONUTRIENT UTILISATION IN THE VERY-LOW-BIRTHWEIGHT (VLBW) INFANT. Pediatr Res 19, 235 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00776
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00776