Human Milk and Infant Development

This issue presents the most recent information on bioactive functions of human milk and its role in infant growth and development.

Reviews provide new data on differences in growth patterns between breast-fed and formula-fed infants and on some of the unique nutritional characteristics of human milk.

The role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (present in human milk but absent in most infant formulas) in neonatal development is discussed.

Some chapters are dedicated to the protective functions of human milk, dealing with immune protection as well as nonimmune protection against a variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

Also emphasized are the mechanisms of protection provided by milk glycoproteins, proteins and lipids, as well as the immunomodulating function of the cytokines present in human milk.

The discussion is rounded off by a chapter examining the short-term (during infancy) and long-term effects of breast-feeding.

This useful publication is of interest for the practicing physician as well as the basic scientist concerned with neonatology, pediatrics, nutrition, immunology, molecular biology or community and preventive medicine.