Immunobiology of Human Milk

Book excerpt: Immunobiology of Human Milk provides a thorough understanding of the wondrous biology of the immune components in human milk and how they protect the breastfed infant. In this book, Dr. Hanson describes the elaborate systems that have developed to protect the infant against infections and to promote the infant's growth and neurodevelopment. Dr. Hanson has been studying the immunobiology of breastmilk since 1955, publishing 650 scientific papers and editing/contributing to 19 books. He is one of the most highly respected immunobiologists/pediatricians in the world. Features included in this book include the bacterial colonization of the newborn, components of host defense, host defense of the growing baby, the pregnant mother's support of host defense in the fetus, the breastfeeding mother's support of host defense, protection against disease provided by breastfeeding, and infectious agents in breastmilk and their impact on breastfeeding.