Biological functions of growth factors in breast milk / 国际儿科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Current studies have found that breast milk contains multiple growth factors with important biological functions, which play an important role in growth and immune regulation in early life.Epidermal growth factor(EGF)can promote the proliferation and differentiation of neonatal gastrointestinal mucosa epithelium, and can prevent the development of necrotizing colitis.Transforming growth factors(TGF)include transforming growth factor α and transforming growth factor β.Transforming growth factor α is related to gastrointestinal function, while transforming growth factor β promotes IgA production and has immunomodulatory effect.Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)can not only promote gastrointestinal tract development as a nutritional factor, but also may work as an immune factor to enhance immunity.Neurotrophic factors promote early neurogenesis in the offspring of preeclampsia mothers.At the same time, the content of these growth factors in breast milk is related to the gestational age, region, diet and other factors.This article summarizes the research progress and clinical application value of these growth factors.