Maternal MCT Oil-Based Diet in the Treatment of Primary Fetal Pleural Effusion: Case Reports

Shohreh Roozmeh; Ali Mohammad Shakiba; Homeira Vafaei; Nasrin Asadi; Khadije Bazrafshan; Fatemeh Honar; Mozhde Ghiasi

doi:10.1002/ccr3.70918

Maternal MCT Oil-Based Diet in the Treatment of Primary Fetal Pleural Effusion: Case Reports

Clin Case Rep. 2025 Oct 30;13(11):e70918. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.70918. eCollection 2025 Nov.

Authors

Shohreh Roozmeh¹, Ali Mohammad Shakiba², Homeira Vafaei³, Nasrin Asadi³, Khadije Bazrafshan¹, Fatemeh Honar⁴, Mozhde Ghiasi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Maternal-fetal medicine Research Center Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran.
² Division of Pediatric Cardiology Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran.
³ Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran.
⁴ Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences Ahvaz Iran.
⁵ Dr Vafaei Perinatology Center Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran.

Abstract

Isolated fetal pleural effusion is typically caused by agenesis or atresia of the lymphatic duct and can lead to lung compression, pulmonary hypoplasia, polyhydramnios, mediastinal shift, cardiac dysfunction, and fetal hydrops. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), compared to long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), are absorbed directly into the portal venous system, bypassing the lymphatic system during digestion, which reduces chyle production. We present two cases of severe unilateral fetal pleural effusion that completely resolved after maternal intake of MCTs and a restricted LCFA diet.

Keywords: MCT oil; case report; fetal echocardiography; fetal pleural effusion.