[Long-term use of medium chain triglycerides in cystic fibrosis (author's transl)]
Insights
Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) supplementation improved clinical outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis and failure to thrive. While weight gain was not observed, MCTs reduced steatorrhea and abdominal discomfort, suggesting their inclusion in standard dietary regimens.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Cystic Fibrosis Research
Context:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) often presents with persistent failure to thrive.
- Malabsorption and steatorrhea are common complications in CF patients.
- Current management strategies require optimization for nutritional support.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as a dietary supplement in pediatric CF patients with failure to thrive.
- To assess the impact of MCT supplementation on clinical symptoms, including steatorrhea and abdominal discomfort.
- To monitor for adverse effects and changes in lipid profiles during MCT supplementation.
Summary:
- A study involving 15 children (4-17 years) with cystic fibrosis and failure to thrive received daily oral medium chain triglycerides (MCT) (35g) in addition to conventional treatment.
- Over a 6-month follow-up, MCT supplementation led to reduced bowel movement frequency, disappearance of abdominal discomfort, and diminished steatorrhea.
- No significant weight gain was observed, but no signs of essential fatty acid deficiency were noted even after 2 years in some patients.
Impact:
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) supplementation demonstrates significant clinical benefits in managing cystic fibrosis-related failure to thrive.
- MCTs effectively alleviate steatorrhea and improve gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric CF patients.
- The findings support the integration of MCTs into the standard dietary management of children with cystic fibrosis experiencing failure to thrive.
Abstract:
Conventional treatment of 15 children (aged 4 to 17 years) with cystic fibrosis and persistent failure to thrive was supplemented on an out-patient basis by a daily oral intake of 35 g of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) fat. Follow-up investigations were pursued for a longer period than described in the literature, namely up to 6 months after initiation of the MCT diet. While frequency of the bowel movements was reduced and abdominal discomfort disappeared no weight gain was observed. Clinically, steatorrhoea was clearly diminished. Pre-treatment serum cholesterol levels were lower (121 mg/dl, n=25) than in healthy subjects (182.2 mg/dl, n=56). No significant changes in either serum cholesterol or serum triglycerides were detected over the 6-month period. There were no clinical signs of an essential fatty acid deficiency in 4 patients followed up for 2 years so far. MCT fat should be included in the standard dietary regimen used in the management of any child with cystic fibrosis and failure to thrive. Its use is fully justified by the clinical improvement and alleviation of the steatorrhoea.
More Related Videos
08:00Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
Published on: April 11, 2018
07:04Forskolin-induced Swelling in Intestinal Organoids: An In Vitro Assay for Assessing Drug Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Published on: February 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:24Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
01:06Fats as Energy Storage Molecules
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:24Lipid Absorption
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...