Technologies

Nutritional Supplements Prevent Developmental Complications in Premature Infants

These nutritional supplements can be used to treat diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) as well as prevent various developmental complications in premature infants. Ocular retinopathies are caused by abnormal blood vessels in the retina and can result in vision loss and blindness. More than 4.4 million Americans ages 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy. A similar disease can also affect premature infants. In the U.S., one out of every eight babies is born prematurely and is at higher risk for lifelong health and developmental complications, such as brain, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. One such illness, ROP, affects more than 2,100 children each year. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed therapeutic nutritional supplements that may be effective in treating ocular retinopathies in diabetics and premature infants. The supplements also show promise for preventing a wide range of developmental complications in premature infants.

Technology

This amino acid dipeptide-enriched nutritional supplement is stable, easily absorbed and can be incorporated in an aqueous solution. The supplement contains a therapeutic dipeptide of the amino acids glutamine and arginine that helps prevent overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye, a contributing factor in advanced diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. When ingested in liquid or pill form, the supplement can also stimulate a premature baby’s intestines to mature faster and absorb more nutrients, allowing for healthier growth and development with a decreased chance of complications.