High-MCT nutritional support for infants with biliary atresia

Nutritional Intervention With High Chain Triglyceride Formulation During Perioperative Period of Kasai Surgery for Biliary Atresia: a Prospective Multicenter Trial

NA · Tongji Hospital · NCT06764082

We will test whether giving a high medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) formula before and after Kasai surgery helps infants with biliary atresia grow better and recover faster than standard feeding.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 3 Months
SexAll
SponsorTongji Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
Trial IDNCT06764082 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective interventional comparison will give intensified enteral feeding with a high MCT formula during the perioperative period to infants with biliary atresia and compare outcomes to those receiving traditional oral feeding. Eligible infants are under three months old and scheduled to undergo Kasai portoenterostomy, with parental consent required for participation. Study staff will monitor growth measurements, biochemical nutritional markers, and clinical recovery after surgery to determine effects on nutritional status and short-term prognosis. Infants with very low birth weight, severe comorbidities, major digestive tract malformations, recent participation in other trials, or other contraindications will be excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Infants younger than three months with a clinical diagnosis of biliary atresia who are scheduled for Kasai surgery and whose parents provide informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Infants with very low birth weight, life-threatening organ system diseases, major digestive malformations, recent clinical trial participation, or other conditions the investigator deems unsuitable are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, intensified MCT enteral feeding could reduce malnutrition, support better growth, and improve short-term recovery after Kasai surgery for infants with biliary atresia.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies in cholestatic pediatric populations have shown benefits from MCT-enriched feeding, but intensified perioperative MCT use specifically for biliary atresia is relatively novel and not yet widely established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Infants under 3 months old;
* Children clinically diagnosed with biliary atresia and in need of Kasai surgery;
* The patient themselves, legal representative or guardian have signed the informed consent form and are willing to actively cooperate with treatment and follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Low birth weight infants or very low birth weight infants;
* Complicated with life-threatening diseases of various organ systems;
* Complicated with other severe digestive tract malformations or other diseases that may interfere with the treatment of the patient or the patient's compliance;
* Patients who have participated in other clinical trials within the last month;
* Any other conditions that the researcher deems unsuitable for participation in this trial.

Where this trial is running

Wuhan, Hubei

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Nutrition Disorder, Infant, Biliary Atresia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.