Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes
07:54

Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

Published on: June 5, 2014

10.3K

An Unusual Case of Infantile Hepatic Steatosis Caused by Coconut-Based Infant Formula

Paula M Prieto Jimenez1, Esther Jun-Ihn2, Michael Matthews3

  • 1From the Department of Pediatrics at Mattel Children's Hospital, Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellow at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

JPGN Reports
|May 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A homemade coconut milk formula caused fatty liver disease in an infant. Symptoms resolved after stopping the formula, highlighting dietary risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Infant nutrition requires careful consideration of macronutrient and micronutrient balance.
  • Homemade formulas may lack essential nutrients or contain harmful components if not properly prepared.

Observation:

  • A 5-month-old African American male infant presented with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease).
  • The infant had been exclusively fed a homemade coconut milk formula for an extended period.

Findings:

  • Chronic and exclusive ingestion of homemade coconut milk formula was identified as the cause of hepatic steatosis.
  • Discontinuation of the homemade formula led to the complete resolution of the hepatic steatosis.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential dangers of unverified homemade infant formulas.
  • Healthcare providers should inquire about formula type, including homemade preparations, during infant check-ups.
  • Further research into the long-term effects of alternative homemade formulas is warranted.

Keywords:
coconut oilfatty liver in neonatal periodhepatic steatosis in newborninfant hepatomegalymacrovesicular fatty livernonalcoholic fatty liver diseasepediatric hepatomegalysea moss

More Related Videos

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

494
Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss07:03

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss

Published on: July 19, 2024

973

Related Concept Videos

Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
207
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:24

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
118
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care01:29

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care

The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
119
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
1.4K
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
30.9K