Method for stimulating the intestinal flora

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for feeding and to compositions to be administered to infants delivered via caesarian section and in particular to the use of a) at least two different microorganisms; or b) at least one microorganism and at least one indigestible oligosaccharide; or c) at least two different Bifidobacteria species, subspecies or strains for the manufacture of a composition for enteral administration to an infant delivered via caesarean section. Thereby it is possible to stimulate the healthy development of the intestinal flora of said infants. (end of abstract)

Method for stimulating the intestinal flora description/claims

Brief Patent Description

Full Patent Description

Patent Application Claims

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for feeding and to compositions to be administered to infants delivered via caesarian section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When formulating nutrition for infants, breast milk is used as the gold standard. Ingredients in particular of non-human origin are normally combined to mimic the compositional features and physiological effects of the human breast milk.

One important aspect of human milk is that it provides energy and fluids to the infant. Besides providing energy, human breast milk contains many additional components, which aim to maintain the health of the infant. Human breast milk for example contains prebiotic fiber, which stimulates the development of a healthy intestinal flora A healthy intestinal flora has numerous positive effects on the infant, such as a reduced incidence of infections and a strengthened immune system.

Several commercially available infant milk formulae contain ingredients that aim to stimulate the development of the intestinal flora. Infant formulae can for example contain prebiotic fibers or live probiotic organisms. The prebiotic fibers normally pass undigested through the upper gastrointestinal tract and selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Live probiotic bacteria increase specific bacterial counts in the intestine.

EP 1105002 describes a prebiotic carbohydrate mixture comprising one or more soluble oligosaccharides and one or more soluble polysaccharides, with at least 80 wt. % of each being prebiotic.

WO 2005039319 describes a preparation comprising Bifidobacterium breve and a mixture of non-digestible carbohydrates for non- or partially breast-fed infants as well as the use thereof for the treatment or prevention of immune disorder in non- or partially breast-fed infants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Infant formulae are normally designed to mimic the development of an intestinal flora in an infant receiving human breast milk, with the implication that all infants react similar to human breast milk and infant formula. However, the present inventors have found that a sub-population of infants, namely those infants delivered via caesarian section, will react differently because their intestinal flora at birth is completely different from the intestinal flora of infants born via the vaginal route. In particularly, the profile and content of Bifidobacteria species of infants delivered via caesarean section is different from the intestinal profile and content of Bifidobacteria species of infants delivered via the vaginal route.

The present inventors have analyzed the intestinal flora of newborns after caesarean delivery and newborns after vaginal delivery. It was surprisingly found that great differences exist between the two groups in composition of the intestinal flora. Particularly infants born via the vaginal route contain at least about three different Bifidobacteria species, whereas the infants born via cesarean section lack the most important Bifidobacteria species.

It was also found that the infants born via caesarian section particularly lack Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum. These species were present in the flora of most infants born via the vaginal route.

Because the intestinal flora plays a crucial role in the development of the infant, in particularly the stimulation of the immune system and resistance against infections, it is of utmost importance to stimulate the healthy development of the intestinal flora of infants born via cesarean section.

Furthermore the newborns delivered via caesarian section lacked a biodiversity in their intestinal flora. Only one or two different species of Bifidobacteria were detected in infants born via c-section, while the intestinal flora of newborns delivered via the vaginal route normally contains several different species of Bifidobacteria. The present inventors believe that these observations are indicative for a general lack of a species variety in the intestinal tract of infants delivered via c-section. The biodiversity is of great importance for the achieving the desired physiological effects and optimally stimulate the health of the infant.

Natren® produces the probiotic product Life Start® which is designed specifically for infants and suitable for infants delivered via caesarean section. Life Start® is made with Bifidobacterium infantis. Because the Life Start® product contains only one single Bifidobacteria species, the benefits for the infant will be very limited.

Particularly unexpected is also the observation that improvements of infant health can be achieved even when infants are fed with breast milk. In the case where infants are delivered via cesarean section, breast milk is (in most cases) the best nutrition for the infant. However, the breast milk also does not instantaneously result in a similar flora as obtained in infant born via vaginal delivery. The present method is therefore also advantageously used when infant receive human breast milk.

Hence, the present invention particularly aims to: a) increase the occurrence of particular species in the intestinal flora of infants born via caesarian section; b) increase the biodiversity of microorganisms in the intestinal flora; and/or c) stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms, particularly Bifidobacteria.

Hence in one aspect the present invention provides a method for stimulating the healthy development of the intestinal flora of infants born via caesarian section by administrating a composition containing:

- at least two different microorganisms;
- at least one microorganism and at least one indigestible oligosaccharide; or