Certain infant formula fats linked to early liver fat ^{CEFR B1}

The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, used a neonatal pig model to examine liver effects during early development. Associate Professor Samer El-Kadi at Virginia Tech and his team fed newborn pigs two simplified formulas that differed only in fat type: one was high in medium-chain fatty acids from coconut oil and the other in long-chain fatty acids from animal fat, a profile closer to whole sow milk. Both groups received the same calories and protein.

Pigs given the medium-chain fat formula accumulated liver fat faster than those given the long-chain formula. El-Kadi reported that fat began to appear within seven days and that by about two weeks it had progressed from simple steatosis to a more severe inflammatory form. The researchers observed activation of both fat-making and fat-burning pathways, but these adaptive responses did not prevent fat buildup.

The authors note that steatotic liver disease, formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasingly diagnosed in children and has been identified in some infants. They emphasized that the study does not mean parents should avoid formula; El-Kadi described breast milk as the "gold standard" and said formula remains a critical alternative when breastfeeding is not possible. The team will continue to study how specific fatty acids and their amounts influence liver metabolism in early life.