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: Disclosed are methods of providing nutrition to infants, as well as 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Disclosed are concentrated, liquid, human milk fortifier compositions comprising from protein, carbohydrate and fat. The concentrated compositions are formulated for addition to human milk and are especially useful for providing nutrition to preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units or similar other institutional settings.

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: The present invention relates generally to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by administering a mixture of natural tocopherols. The natural tocopherol mixture is an effective blend of ?- and ?-tocopherol. For ease of administration and improved taste, the mixture of natural tocopherols are typically delivered in vehicle which may be in the form, for example, of a tablet, capsule, liquid, and nutritional formula. The present invention also relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by supplementing the lactating woman wherein the supplemented breast milk is fed to the infant. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of a newborn infant by supplementing the pregnant woman.

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 mcg/liter of total carotenoids, wherein the total carotenoids include at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein. The formulas may further comprise docosahexaenoic acid.

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 mcg/liter of total carotenoids, wherein the total carotenoids include at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein. The formulas may further comprise docosahexaenoic acid.

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 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: Disclosed is a method of tailoring infant formulas to individual nutrition needs prior to use. The method comprises (A) determining the desired volume and optimal caloric density of a formula to be fed to a preterm or low birth weight infant; (B) obtaining a plurality of base infant formulas, all in liquid form, comprising fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, each of which has an osmolality of from about 200 to about 360 mOsm/kg water and a different caloric density within a range of from about 609 to about 1082 kcal/L; (C) selecting two of the base liquid formulas having a caloric density value above and below the optimal caloric density, (D) calculating the volume of each selected base formula needed to produce the desired volume of an infant formula blend having the optimal caloric density; (E) combining the calculated volumes to produce a an isotonic blend having the desired feeding volume and optimal caloric density. The formula is then fed to the preterm or low birth weight infant.

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 mcg/liter of total carotenoids, wherein the total carotenoids include at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein. The formulas may further comprise docosahexaenoic acid.

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: 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 kcauml to about 6.0 kcau/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: The present invention relates generally to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by administering a mixture of natural tocopherols. The natural tocopherol mixture is an effective blend of ?- and ?-tocopherol. For ease of administration and improved taste, the mixture of natural tocopherols are typically delivered in vehicle which may be in the form, for example, of a tablet, capsule, liquid, and nutritional formula. The present invention also relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of an infant by supplementing the lactating woman wherein the supplemented breast milk is fed to the infant. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of improving the antioxidant status of a newborn infant by supplementing the pregnant woman.