Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional formulations including predigested fats that can be administered to preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving tolerance, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome. The predigested fats include fatty acid-containing monoglycerides and/or a fatty acid component.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the bioavailability of a lipid-soluble nutrient, such as DHA, arachidonic acid, tocopherol, and carotenoids, in a newborn or preterm infant is disclosed. In this method, the lipid-soluble nutrient is administered in a nutritional product (such as an infant formula) to a preterm or newborn infant. The nutritional product comprises (a) an effective amount of the lipid-soluble nutrient; and (b) a fatty component comprising a combination of: (i) at least 6 g/l predigested fat, wherein the predigested fat includes at least one of: monoglycerides, free fatty acids, or a combination of monoglycerides and free fatty acids, and (ii) at least 1.44 g/l phospholipid. A method of enhancing cognition in newborn or preterm infants utilizing the nutritional product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional formulations including predigested fats that can be administered to preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving tolerance, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome. The predigested fats include fatty acid-containing monoglycerides and/or a fatty acid component.