Medium chain triglyceride in the therapy of gastroesophageal reflux

Abstract

Carbohydrate solutions that empty rapidly from the stomach have been shown to produce less gastroesophageal reflux (GER) during the postcibal period than more slowly emptying formulas. These observations have not been extended to complete infant formulas containing fat, carbohydrate, and protein constituents. Medium chain triglyceride has been shown to significantly accelerate gastric emptying compared to long chain triglyceride for preterm infants when investigated in commercial infant formulas. Using a previously reported acidified formula model coupled with esophageal pH probe testing, we have documented in a group of 28 infants that modification of formula by enrichment with medium chain triglyceride produced no improvement in rates of GER during the first 2 h after feeding.