NUTRITION DURING EARLY INFANCY AND DEVELO PMENT OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Human milk-feeding, even when forwarded only in the first weeks of lif e, correlates with higher developmental scores at long-term assessment . This effect has been observed in children born both at term and pret erm, even after correction for possible confounding factors Hormones, growth-factor like molecules, a better amino acid balance and the cont ent of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids mainly distinguish human milk from formula composition. These nutritional components may have a beneficial effect on brain development.