Nutritional Intervention for Biliary Atresia

Energy Intake: The tube-feeding formula was a special medical-purpose formula food with high MCT and deep hydrolyzed milk protein (Alfare, Nestlé, Switzerland), which contained hydrolyzed whey protein, maltodextrin, vegetable oil, and MCT, etc. At a high-calorie concentration, each 1000 mL could provide 800 kcal, 15.8 g MCT, and 21.5 g protein (osmotic pressure 227 mOsm/kg).

Feeding Procedure: On the basis of 130 - 150% DRI, a high-calorie formula feeding amount of 160 ml/kg/d could provide 2.7 g/kg/d MCT. After the operation, starting from when oral nutrition was feasible, the amount gradually increased from the initial amount until the expected amount was reached, and this continued until 6 months after the operation. The difference between the estimated feeding amount and the actual feeding amount could be selectively supplemented with enteral nutrition (nasogastric tube).

For the children in the control group, there were no special restrictions before the operation. After they were able to have a normal diet postoperatively, they were encouraged to have a normal oral intake of the traditional formula. The recommended energy input for the formula was 130 - 150% of the reference intake (DRI) based on age and gender as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The final dosage and schedule were determined by the children and their parents or caregivers. The feeding route and the schedule for complementary feeding were the same as those in the experimental group.