Nk. Arora et al., NUTRIENT ABSORPTION FROM A FAT-ENRICHED DIET IN YOUNG MALNOURISHED CHILDREN - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL, Acta paediatrica, 87(2), 1998, pp. 143-148
A randomized, controlled trial was undertaken to compare nutrient abso
rption from low fat (22.2% energy as fat) and high fat (48% energy as
fat) -containing mixed diets in 39 (26M, 13F) malnourished children ag
ed < 2 y. Subjects of both dietary groups, standard (SDG, n = 18) and
experimental (EDG, n = 21), were offered 184.5 ml of feeds/kg body wei
ght/24 h that provided 146 kcal with the low fat diet and 216 kcal wit
h the high fat diet, respectively. The baseline clinical and biochemic
al parameters and the volume of feeds consumed by the patients in the
two groups were comparable. Thus, the subjects in the EDG were ingesti
ng a mean (95% CI) of 50% (23.8%, 76.2%) extra energy than that eaten
by the SDG. Coefficients of absorption of energy, nitrogen and carbohy
drate were similar in the two dietary groups (p = 0.08-0.98). Median (
binomial exact 95% CI) fat absorption among subjects receiving the hig
h fat diet (96.3; 92.9, 98.6) was 7% more than in those consuming the
low fat diet (89.3; 86.7, 94.1) (p = 0.01). Subjects of the EDG thus,
retained almost 50% additional energy as compared to that by SDG.