THE ROLE OF THE BIOACTIVE FACTORS IN BREAST MILK ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF THE INFANT
Abstract:
Bioactive factors in breast milk represent a “true immune system”. It compensates for the
adaptive immune system immaturity of the newborn, as well as for the insufficient development of many
aspects of the innate immune system. The immunological action and the protective benefits of
breastfeeding against the infections acquired in the infant and young child made up the subject of
numerous recent studies. They come, on the one hand, to bring strong support, with clinical records, to
the concept related to the importance of breastfeeding in the normal development of the immune system
in infants, and on the other hand, they support the constant concern of the manufacturing companies to
include additives in formulas milk, in order to bring them as closer as possible to the breast milk. This
paper presents the bioactive factors in breast milk with their functions and mechanisms of action in the
adaptive and innate immune response. It also illustrates the aspects related to the natural dynamics of
the immune benefits of breast milk. In conclusion, the role of bioactive factors in immunity has emerged
along with the evolution of the concept of “immune system in breast milk”, being shown clear
correlations between this one and the immune status of the breast-fed infant and his subsequent
immunological development.
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