Use of non-digestable sacharides for giving an infant the best start after birth

Abstract

A food or supplement for pregnant women comprising water soluble, non-digestible saccharides is described. The composition is used to improve the flora and/or immune system of the pregnant women, to improve the immune system of the infant and to improve the intestinal flora of the infant after birth.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method of improving the intestinal flora development of an infant after birth; strengthening the immune system of an infant before or after birth; and/or preventing immune system related disorders of an infant before birth, the method comprising administering to a woman pregnant with the infant, a composition comprising a first water soluble, non-digestible saccharide. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition is administered to a woman pregnant of an infant for prevention of at least one disorder selected from the group consisting of allergy, eczema, asthma, rhinitis, hayfever, rhinoconjunctivitis, wheezing, intestinal infections, vaginal infections, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, constipation, cramps and intestinal inflammation in the infant after birth. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the saccharide is administered in a dose of 0.5 to 50 g/day, during at least 2 weeks before due delivery. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein bacterial colonisation of the intestine of the infant is stimulated; and/or wherein the percentage of bifidobacteria and/or lactobacilli based on total bacteria in the colon and/or faeces of the infant after birth is enhanced. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the saccharide comprises at least 50% galactose monosaccharide units based on the total number of monosaccharide units present in the saccharide. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the saccharide is selected from the group consisting of transgalactooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (neoLNT), fucosyl-lactose, fucosylated LNT and fucosylated neo-LNT, and alpha-galacto-oligosaccharide, preferably transgalactooligosaccharide. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition further comprises a second water soluble, non-digestible saccharide, wherein the first and the second saccharides have i) different glycosidic linkages, ii) different degree of polymerisation, and/or iii) different monosaccharide composition. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first saccharide comprises at least 50% of galactose units based on total number of monosaccharide units present in the first saccharide and wherein the second saccharide is selected from the group consisting of fructopolysaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and inulin. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the second saccharide is inulin. 
   
   
       21 . A method of strengthening the immune system of a pregnant woman; improving the intestinal flora of a pregnant woman; and/or improving the vaginal flora of a pregnant woman, the method comprising administering to the pregnant woman a composition comprising a water soluble, non-digestible saccharide, wherein the saccharide comprises at least 50% galactose units based on the total number of monosaccharide units present in the saccharide. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the composition further comprises a saccharide selected from the group consisting of fructopolysaccharide, fructo-oligosaccharide, and inulin. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the saccharide is inulin.