Feeding behavior in neonates whose diet contained medium-chain triacylglycerols: short-term effects on thermoregulation and sleep.
BACKGROUND
Feeding formulas for premature infants often contain medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs). However, previous studies in animals and adults showed that MCTs may decrease food intake.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives were to determine in hospitalized premature infants whether food intake is modified by dietary MCT supply and to assess the effects on thermoregulation and sleep, which are involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and in the optimal physiologic development of the neonates.


METHODS
Food intake, body mass, and nutritional efficiency during 3 consecutive days were compared in 2 groups of neonates according to the fat composition of their feeding formula [MCT group: 37% MCT, 63% long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs); LCT group: 100% LCT]. On the third day, sleep and metabolic rate were recorded in the morning during an interval between meals.


RESULTS
Regardless of day, energy intake was greater in the MCT group than in the LCT group (x difference: 67.3 kJ x kg(-1) x d(-1); P = 0.007). Metabolic rate (1.8 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1); P < 0.001), cheek skin temperature (0.31 degrees C; P = 0.04), and total sleep time (52 min; P = 0.01) were also higher in the MCT group.


CONCLUSIONS
The ratio of MCTs to LCTs in neonates' feeding formulas can modify physiologic functions involved in energy-balance regulation.
Telliez
Frédéric
F
Unité de Recherches sur l'Environement Toxique Périnatal-Adaptations Physiologiques et Comportementales (EA 2088), Faculté de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France. frederic.telliez@sa.u-picardie.fr
Bach
Véronique
V
Leke
André
A
Chardon
Karen
K
Libert
Jean-Pierre
JP
D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012881:Skin Temperature; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D014280:Triglycerides