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Absorption of medium chain triglycerides in the stomach of the human infant
J Faber1, R Goldstein, O Blondheim
1Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are absorbed in the infant stomach, with absorption improving with age. This finding is crucial for infant nutrition, especially for premature infants and those with fat malabsorption issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Infant Physiology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated medium chain triglycerides (MCT) absorption in suckling rats' stomachs.
- MCTs are vital components in specialized infant formulas for premature infants and those with fat absorption defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the absorption of MCTs in the stomach of human infants.
- To compare MCT absorption rates across different infant groups and ages.
Main Methods:
- Infant formula containing known MCT amounts was administered via gastric tube to four infant groups: pyloric stenosis, premature, cystic fibrosis, and miscellaneous conditions.
- Gastric samples were collected at 0, 20, 40, and 60 minutes post-administration.
- MCT levels were quantified in collected samples to determine absorption rates.
Main Results:
- Infants with pyloric stenosis and premature infants showed an 18.1% decrease in MCT within the first 20 minutes, with no significant change thereafter.
- Older infants and children with cystic fibrosis exhibited a steady MCT disappearance rate over 60 minutes, with approximately 30% total absorption.
- MCT absorption in the stomach was confirmed across all studied infant groups.
Conclusions:
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are absorbed directly from the stomach in infants and children.
- The rate of MCT absorption appears to increase with age.
- These findings have significant practical implications for infant nutrition, particularly for vulnerable infant populations requiring specialized formulas.
Abstract:
Following previous observations that medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are absorbed from the stomach of suckling rats, this study was devoted to studying absorption of MCTs in human infants. Four groups of patients were studied: (a) infants suffering from pyloric stenosis, (b) premature infants, (c) children suffering from cystic fibrosis, (d) infants with miscellaneous conditions. Infant formulae with known amounts of MCT were introduced by gastric tube and samples were removed at 0, 20, 40, and 60 min. In patients with pyloric stenosis there was an 18.1% decrease in MCT during the first 20 min. No significant changes in MCT took place during the subsequent 40 min. A similar response was observed in the group of premature infants. Older infants with miscellaneous diagnoses and children with cystic fibrosis showed an even rate of disappearance of MCT during the 60-min test period, and approximately 30% of the original MCTs present disappeared during this period. We conclude that MCTs are absorbed in the stomach of infants and children. Absorption appears to improve with age. Because MCT are an important constituent of formulae for premature infants and children with defects of small intestinal digestion and absorption of fat, these observations have practical implications.