Hi All

I would like to know if you use MCT oils in VLBW infants. If, yes what are your protocols.

Personally I am not a big fan of MCT oils and would use it only if I am not achieving enough weight despite EBM feeds of 200 ml/kg/day fortified with HMF and all investigations normal.

Hope the New Year brings the best for you

Dr K P Sanghvi

Neonatologist

Mumbai India

Our nutritionist favours fat fortification with MCT to our preterm infants, as compared to LCT, she thinks it has rather big advantages, from a physiological point of view. So, since quite recently, most preterm infants get MCT fortification.

I have no well-grounded personal opinion, but one of infant, admitted during this "transitional period" started to gain weight much better when we switched from LCT to MCT.

Hi Stefan

Thanks for the reply but

What I am interested to know is do you routinely use MCT oils in premies. If I am using a 80kcal formula at 180 -200 ml/kg/day or EBM fortified with HMF it boils down to almost 140-160 kcal/kg/day.

1) Do I further need to boost up the calories by adding MCT ?

2) With MCT I have seen chubbiness in the cheeks. My question is - Is that adipose tissue required ?

Regards

K P Sanghvi MD

Mumbai India

i have been using HMF along with MCT oil in ELBWs and VLBWs once full volume enteral feeding is achieved and have got better results (although not observed in a clinical study fashion)...is there any study comparing weight gain in those given HMF and those given HMF with MCT oils?