MCT oils

[kpsanghvi]

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

[Stefan Johansson]

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.

[kpsanghvi]

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