Method of reducing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants

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.

1 . A method of reducing the risk or severity of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants, said method comprising: 
 (a) measuring skin carotenoid levels in preterm infants, and then    (b) administering supplemental carotenoids to those infants in need thereof, wherein the supplemental carotenoids comprise lutein, lycopene, beta carotene, and zeaxanthin.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein skin carotenoids levels are measured by Raman Spectroscopy.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the preterm infants in need of supplemental carotenoids are those having a Raman Count of less than about 20,000.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the supplemental carotenoids are administered in an amount effective to increase skin carotenoids levels as measured by Raman Spectroscopy by at least about 5%.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preterm infant is born at between about 26 and about 34 weeks gestation.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preterm infant is administered supplemental carotenoids in an amount effective to provide a total lutein intake, from all dietary sources, of from about 7 to about 300 mcg/kg/day.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preterm infant is administered supplemental carotenoids in an amount effective to provide a total lutein intake, from all dietary sources, of from about 14 to about 220 mcg/kg/day.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the supplemental carotenoid is 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.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the total carotenoids include from about 100 to about 1150 mcg/liter of added lutein.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the infant formula further comprises fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, including docosahexaenoic acid in a weight ratio of lutein (mcg) to docosahexaenoic acid (mg) of from about 1:2 to about 10:1.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the total carotenoids include from about 100 to about 200 mcg/liter of lutein.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the weight ratio of lutein (mcg) to docosahexaenoic acid (mg) is from about 2:1 to about 5:1.