Infants with cystic fibrosis may be placed on hydrolyzed formulas containing medium-chain triglycerides. True or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only after age 1
• D. Never recommended

Answer: (A)

Infants with cystic fibrosis often have pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, which makes fat digestion and absorption challenging. Medium-chain triglycerides are absorbed more readily than long-chain fats because they don’t require pancreatic lipase or bile for digestion; they go straight into the portal circulation. A hydrolyzed formula adds proteins broken down into smaller pieces, which can be easier to absorb for some infants. Putting these together — a formula with hydrolyzed protein and medium-chain triglycerides — can improve caloric intake and fat absorption in CF infants, especially when pancreatic enzyme support is used to aid digestion. That’s why this statement is true.