Breastfeeding and Immune System Development
The thymus is a central organ in the immune system, responsible
for the proper development of T lymphocytes. Immature
T cells, known as thymocytes, undergo a selection process
in the thymus to remove potentially self-reactive cells. Less than
5% of thymocytes survive this “education” to be released as
functionally mature, circulating T cells. While the clinical significance
of thymic size is not known, the central role of the
thymus gland in the development of the T-cell repertoire suggests
a potential for direct effects of breastfeeding on a crucial
organ of the maturing immune system.