Human milk is considered the ideal food for newborns during the first 4 to 6 months of life.<sup>21 Hamosh M., Dewey K.G., Garza C. , e al. Nutrition During Lactation  Washington, DC: National Academy Press (1991).  11

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Nutritionally, human milk is specifically adapted to the needs of newborn infants.<sup>47 Picciano M.F. Human milk: Nutritional aspects of a dynamic food Biol Neonate 1998 ;  74 : 84  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Also unique to milk, and so far not duplicated by infant formula, is the great array of “bioactive factors,” which provide infants with protection from infection by various microorganisms,<sup>17 Goldman A.S. The immune system of human milk: Antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and immunomodulating properties Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993 ;  12 : 664

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> hormones and growth factors that affect development,<sup>28Hamosh M: Hormones in human milk. Biol Neonate, in press

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> agents that modulate immune function,<sup>12 Garofalo R.P., Goldman A.S. Cytokines, chemokines and colony stimulating factors in human milk: The 1997 update Biol Neonate 1998 ;  74 : 134  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and anti-inflammatory components.<sup>13 Garofalo R.P., Goldman A.S. Expression of functional immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory factors in human milk Clin Perinatol 1999 ;  26 : 361

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Some components have several functions (i.e., some cytokines or vitamins modulate specific aspects of functional organ maturation).<sup>39 Ly C.C., Bry K., Lappalainen U. , e al. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor increases surfactant phospholipid in premature rabbits Pediatr Res 1999 ;  46 : 613

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 59 Whytney D., Massaro G.D., Massaro D. , e al. Gene expression of cellular retinoic-binding proteins: Modulation by retinoic acid and dexamethasone in postnatal rat lung Pediatr Res 1999 ;  45 : 2

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Even the major nutrients in milk have specific bioactive functions before being digested to provide energy and precursors for growth<sup>25Hamosh M: Breast-feeding: Unraveling the mysteries of mother’s milk. In Medscape Women’s Health [Online]. Available: www.medscape.com[1996].

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> (Table 1).