Nutrition during early infancy and development of the central nervous system

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