Investigation of a Common Clinical Approach to Poor Growth in Preterm Infants.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of elevated energy intake with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or formula powder on growth velocity and weight z-score in very low birth weight infants receiving human milk and human milk fortifier. This was a cohort study of infants exposed to MCT oil or formula powder for at least 7 days. Mean 7-day change in growth velocity and weight z-scores were compared pre- and postintervention. Forty-three infants received increased energy with either MCT oil or formula powder. Infants receiving MCT oil were more preterm and had a lower birth weight. When evaluating 7-day changes pre- and postintervention, growth velocity increased from 10.0 g/kg/day to 19.8 g/kg/day, and change in weight Z-score increased from -0.24 to 0.05. This clinical approach using MCT oil or formula powder for additional energy was associated with improved, at least short-term, growth velocity and weight z-score trajectory.