Nutritional Composition for Intestinal Angiogenesis in Preterm Infants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preterm infants are prone to intestinal inflammation conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) due to immature intestinal vascularization and impaired blood flow, which can lead to delayed intestinal development, impaired nutrient absorption, and increased morbidity and mortality.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic nutritional composition comprising a mixture of specific oligosaccharides, at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA), and at least one probiotic, specifically designed to promote intestinal angiogenesis and improve enteral feeding tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If preterm infants receive standard enteral feeding, then nutritional intake is provided, but intestinal inflammation and necrotizing enterocolitis occur due to immature vascularization
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is administered before standard enteral feeding to preterm infants to prepare the intestinal environment. The oligosaccharides, LC-PUFAs, and probiotics are given in advance to promote vascularization and protect against inflammation that would otherwise occur during subsequent feeding
Solution Approach 2:
The composition acts as an intermediary between the immature intestinal vasculature and standard enteral feeding. The oligosaccharides and probiotics mediate protective effects by enhancing blood vessel formation and reducing inflammatory responses to nutritional intake
2Object-affected harmful factors
If enteral feeding is delayed to prevent NEC, then intestinal inflammation is reduced, but growth arrest and failure to thrive occur
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is given before feeding initiation to preterm infants to pre-condition the intestinal tract. This preliminary intervention promotes angiogenesis and establishes protective mechanisms that allow safe enteral feeding without subsequent NEC, thereby enabling both inflammation prevention and normal growth
Solution Approach 2:
The composition serves as a protective intermediary that enables the transition from parenteral to enteral nutrition. By enhancing vascularization and reducing inflammatory susceptibility, it mediates safe nutritional intake that supports growth while preventing NEC
3Object-affected harmful factors
If surgery is performed to remove necrotized bowel, then life-threatening inflammation is treated, but short bowel syndrome and permanently impaired nutrient digestion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The composition applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in the first place. Administered to preterm infants before feeding, it counteracts the inflammatory cascade that would lead to bowel necrosis and require surgical resection, thereby preserving intestinal length and function
Solution Approach 2:
The composition converts the harmful effect of immature vascularization into a benefit by stimulating angiogenesis. The very immaturity that predisposes to NEC is transformed into an opportunity for enhanced blood vessel formation through the composition's active ingredients, protecting against inflammation while promoting development
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively prevents and treats intestinal inflammation, such as NEC, and supports recovery after intestinal injury or surgery by enhancing intestinal angiogenesis and improving nutrient absorption and feeding tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
Neovascularization and vessel repair is also essential during healing after intestinal injury and/or surgery. Neovascularization and vessel repair occurs through angiogenesis.
Implementation Method 2
Impaired blood flow can delay intestinal development, impair nutrient absorption and tolerance to enteral feeds
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention discloses a composition comprising at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, at least one probiotic and a mixture of oligosaccharides, said mixture containing at least one N-acetylated oligosaccharide, at least one sialylated oligosaccharide and at least one neutral oligosaccharide, for use in the promotion of intestinal angiogenesis and of nutrient absorption and of enteral feeding toleranceand/or in the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal inflammation, such as necrotizing enterocolis, and/or in the recovery after intestinal injury and/or surgery.This composition is particularly adapted for use in infants, notably preterm infants.