Key Points The prevalence of allergy is increasing across the world, and asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. The exact role of genetics and epigenetics in the development of allergy are being explored with newer research techniques.…
Key Points Medication use during lactation occurs in almost 50% of breastfeeding women. The most common medications reported include oral contraceptives, systemic antibiotics, “cold preparations,” analgesics/antipyretics, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. The benefits of continued breastfeeding with maternal medication use almost…
Key Points Optimal growth can be achieved only through the interaction of genetic potential and optimal nutrition at the appropriate times (intrauterine, infancy, childhood, and adolescence) to immediately effect timely active growth and “program” organogenesis and metabolism to optimize future…
Key Points Simply stated, weaning is the transition of the infant from dependence on mother’s milk to reliance on other sources of nourishment for nutrition, health and growth, and development. Current recommendations are for 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and…
Key Points Exclusive breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months is capable of nourishing an infant for appropriate growth and development even when the mother’s nutrition is “less than perfect.” The quantity of breast milk produced can be affected by maternal…
Key Points Human milk is a highly complex composition of nutrients for infant growth, consisting primarily of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins, as well as minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. The delicate balance of nutrients and the dynamic lactation process make…
Key Points Lactation represents the completion of the reproductive cycle and occurs as one of the major stages of mammary gland development: (1) embryogenesis; (2) mammogenesis; (3) lactogenesis, or secretory differentiation (stage 1 lactogenesis) and secretory activation (stage II lactogenesis);…
Key Points The mammary gland, or “breast,” is the only organ that is not fully developed at birth and undergoes dramatic changes from birth to pregnancy, lactation, and involution. The three major structures of the breast are skin, including the…
Key Points The long history of breastfeeding has brought us to a better understanding of the crucial role of human breast milk in the nutrition and growth and development of infants and children. Research into lactation, breastfeeding, and human breast…
4.18.1 Persistent organochlorine compounds (pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) Experience Within this group are the classic pesticides dichlordiphenyltrichlorethan (DDT), hexachlorbenzene (HCB), dieldrin , hexachlorcyclohexan (HCH), and “synthetic oils” made from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as the polychlorinated dioxins and…