Abbott Laboratories' Ross Products Division Launches Preterm Infant Formulas
Supplemented With DHA And ARA


COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott Laboratories' Ross Products
Division announced today the launch of three preterm infant formulas,
NeoSure(R) Advance(R), Similac(R) Special Care(R) and Similac(R) Natural
Care(R), supplemented with DHA and ARA, two fatty acids that are important
for brain and visual development.  These two fatty acids - DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) - are found in small
amounts in breast milk. Although infants can make some DHA and ARA from fatty
acids already present in preterm formulas, supplementation with DHA and ARA
can be beneficial for the preterm infant.  The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has completed review of the submissions for these infant
formulas and the formulas are expected to be available in September.(1)

The Ross Products Division has clinically demonstrated that supplementing
Similac(R) Special Care(R) and NeoSure(R) with DHA and ARA can be a benefit
for preterm infants.  In a study of 470 preterm infants, published in the
August 2001 issue of Pediatrics, those fed preterm infant formulas
supplemented with DHA and ARA showed improvement on a standard test of visual
development.(2)

For term infants, the Ross Products Division recently introduced Similac(R)
Advance(R) with Iron, an infant formula that contains DHA and ARA, for those
parents and health care professionals who want to feed a term infant formula
supplemented with these fatty acids.  Similac Advance has been found to
support visual and cognitive development like that of the breastfed infant.

Ross' Similac(R) With Iron infant formula is the number one choice of doctors
for milk-based feedings.  Ross is dedicated to conducting research to ensure
that formula-fed infants receive the highest quality products to meet their
nutritional needs.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:<A HREF="aol://4785:ABT">ABT</A>) is a global, broad-based health care company
devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals, nutritionals, and medical products, including devices and
diagnostics.  The company employs approximately 70,000 people and markets its
products in more than 130 countries.  Abbott's news releases and other
information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com .

(1) NeoSure(R) Advance(R) is a special formula for conditions such as
prematurity.  It should only be used as directed by a physician.  Similac(R)
Special Care(R) is for premature and low birth weight babies.  It is only
available in the hospital or it can be ordered by a pharmacy.  Similac(R)
Natural Care(R) is for premature and low birth weight babies that are being
breastfed.  It is a liquid human milk fortifier and is only available in the
hospital.

(2) O'Connor DL, Hall R, Adamkin, D, et al.  Growth and Development in
Preterm Infants Fed Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids:  A Prospective
Randomized Control Trial. Pediatrics.  108:359-371, 2001.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -  Click Here

http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X19167568

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html