Abstract:
The present invention is directed to concentrated liquid human milk fortifiers using extensively hydrolyzed casein as a protein source, a stabilizer system comprising octenyl succinic anhydride modified corn starch in combination with a low acyl gellan gum, and the carotenoid lutein.
Abstract:
Disclosed are infant formulas and corresponding methods of using them to promote retinal health and vision development in infants. The formulas, which are free of egg phospholipids and comprise fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, including docosahexaenoic acid and, on a ready-to-feed basis, at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein, wherein the weight ratio of lutein (mcg) to docosahexaenoic acid (mg) is from about 1:2 to about 10:1. The formulas are also believed to be especially useful in reducing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.
Abstract:
Preterm infant nutritional compositions comprising beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid for supporting growth, accretion of lean body mass, and a healthy body composition in preterm infants are provided. The preterm infant nutritional compositions may be liquid formulas, fortifiers, and supplements. Methods for supporting growth, accretion of lean body mass, and a healthy body composition in a preterm infant are also provided. The methods include administering a preterm infant nutritional composition comprising beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid to the preterm infant.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to preterm infant formulas comprising lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene, and the use of the preterm infant formulas to modulate inflammation, such as skin inflammation, in preterm infants. Also disclosed are methods of modulating the level of C-reactive protein in a preterm infant using preterm infant formulas comprising mixtures of carotenoids.
Abstract:
Disclosed are sterilized liquid protein supplements including extensively hydrolyzed casein for use with human milk and other infant feeding formulas. The sterilized liquid protein supplements have a low pH, thereby inhibiting protein denaturation and reducing microbial growth.
Abstract:
Disclosed are concentrated, liquid, human milk fortifier compositions comprising from about 15% to about 45% by weight of protein, on a dry weight basis, and having a caloric density of from about 1.25 kcal/ml to about 6.0 kcal/ml, wherein the liquid human milk fortifier composition is added to human milk in a volume-volume ratio of from about 1:3 to about 1:9. These composition include embodiments comprising carbohydrate and fat, that are formulated with improved stability by selecting any one of the following variations: 1) certain whey-casein protein blends, 2) water insoluble calcium-containing materials, 3) protein hydrolysates, and 4) aseptically packaged concentrates. The liquid concentrates are especially useful for providing nutrition to preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units or similar other institutional setting, and to minimize the risk of introducing microbial contaminants such as Enterobacter sakazakii to infant feedings during preparation in such institutional settings.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of reducing the risk or severity of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants. The method comprises (a) measuring skin carotenoid levels in preterm infants, preferably by Raman Spectroscopy, and then (b) administering supplemental carotenoids to those infants in need thereof, wherein the supplemental carotenoids comprise lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin. The supplemental carotenoids may be provided by an infant formula comprising, on a ready-to-feed basis, from about 100 to about 2000 meg/liter of total carotenoids, wherein the total carotenoids include at least about 50 mcg/hter of lutein. The formulas may further comprise docosahexaenoic acid.
Abstract:
Disclosed are human milk fortifier compositions, in either powder or liquid forms, comprising nutrients and selected iron-containing materials, wherein the fortifiers when added to human milk do not significantly inhibit or otherwise eliminate the inherent, in-vitro antimicrobial properties of the milk. This is accomplished by formulating the compositions with iron-containing insoluble iron, soluble bound iron, or combinations thereof, with little or no soluble unbound iron. Also disclosed are methods of providing nutrition to infants, especially preterm infants, by adding the human milk fortifier described herein with human milk to form a fortified human milk, and then administering the fortified human milk to the infant. The fortifier can also be used to fortify other infant formulas.