Methods and compositions for promoting the neurological development of an infant

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for promoting the neurological development of an infant by administration of fatty acids and compositions comprising same, wherein the fatty acids are enriched with respect to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content.

1 . A method for promoting the neurological development of an infant, the method comprising administration to the infant of DHA in an amount of at least about 30 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administration to the infant of DHA in an amount of at least about 60 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising administration to the infant of DHA in an amount of at least about 90 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infant is a preterm infant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the infant is born prior to 33 weeks gestation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the infant is born prior to 36 weeks gestation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the administration is continued until the infant reaches term corrected age. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infant is classified as small for gestational age. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infant has a birth weight of less than or equal to about 1250 g. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration commences within about 24 hours of the birth of the infant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration commences at a time when the infant commences enteral feeding. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration is enteral or parenteral administration. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA is administered to the infant in combination with a source of protein. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA is administered to the infant in combination with vitamins and/or minerals. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA is administered to the infant in combination with one or more of the following: human milk, infant formula and human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA is administered in the form of an emulsion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infant is in utero. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the administration commences when the infant is in utero and continues after birth of the infant. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for promoting the neurological development of an infant, the method comprising administration to the infant fatty acids including DHA, wherein the DHA represents about 1% or more of the fatty acids. 
     
     
         21 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method of feeding an infant, the method comprising:
 (i) administering fatty acids including DHA to the infant's mother in an amount sufficient to provide a content of DHA in the breast milk of the infant's mother that is about 1% or more of the total fatty acids present in the breast milk, and   (ii) feeding the infant with breast milk following step (i).   
     
     
         43 - 64 . (canceled)