NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING A PREBIOTIC AND LACTOFERRIN AND USES THEREOF

1 . A method for modulating serotonergic receptor expression in a pediatric subject, the method comprising administering to the pediatric subject a nutritional composition comprising:

a. up to about 7 g/100 kcal of a fat or lipid source, wherein the fat or lipid source comprises milk fat globules derived from an enriched lipid fraction of bovine milk;

c. at least about 15 mg/100 kcal of lactoferrin from a non-human source; and

d. about 0.015 g/100 kcal to about 0.15 g/100 kcal of a prebiotic composition, wherein the prebiotic composition comprises polydextrose, a galacto-oligosaccharide or a combination thereof.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids includes at least one of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and combinations thereof.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids is present from about 5 mg/100 kcal to about 75 mg/100 kcal.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the milk fat globules further comprise gangliosides and phospholipids.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein lactoferrin is present at a level of about 10 mg/100 kcal to about 200 mg/100 kcal.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the lactoferrin is bovine lactoferrin.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a protein source.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides comprise at least about 20% of the prebiotic composition.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula or a growing up milk.

11 . A nutritional composition for reducing constipation in a pediatric subject, comprising:

a. up to about 7 g/100 kcal of a fat or lipid source, wherein the fat or lipid source comprises milk fat globules derived from an enriched lipid fraction from bovine milk;

b. up to about 5 g/100 kcal of a protein source;

c. at least about 15 mg/100 kcal of lactoferrin from a non-human source; and

d. about 0.015 g/100 kcal to about 0.15 g/100 kcal of a prebiotic composition, wherein the prebiotic composition comprises polydextrose, galactooligosaccharide or a combination thereof.

12 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition further comprises a source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

13 . The composition of claim 12 , wherein the source of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids is present from about 5 mg/100 kcal to about 75 mg/100 kcal.

14 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the average diameter of the milk fat globules range is at least about 2 μm.

15 . The composition of claim 14 , wherein the average diameter of the milk fat globules range is in the range of about 2 μm to about 13 μm.

16 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the specific surface area of the milk fat globules range is in the range of about 0.9 m 2 /g to about 3 m 2 /g.

17 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein lactoferrin is present at a level of about 15 mg/100 kcal to about 300 mg/100 kcal.

18 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the lactoferrin is bovine lactoferrin.

19 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides comprise at least about 20% of the prebiotic composition.

20 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the nutritional composition is an infant formula or a growing up milk.