McKiernan J, Coyne J, Cahalane S
Paediatric Department, Regional Hospital, Wilton, Cork.
Arch Dis Child. 1988 Feb;63(2):136-9. doi: 10.1136/adc.63.2.136.
Histological examination of the breasts of 26 infants and young children who died suddenly between the ages of 3 weeks and 2 years was performed. The glands were composed of well formed lobules surrounded by dense interlobular stroma, while within the lobules there was looser connective tissue. The lobules contained ducts, many of which were dilated and contained secretions. Foci of extramedullary haematopoiesis were found, and in the older infants, fat was prominent within the connective tissue of the breast. Myoepithelial cells were regularly present. No sex differences in breast development at this time were noted. Newborn breast development did not regress rapidly after birth and secretory activity continued for many months in both sexes. This study shows that the human mammary gland remains active for many months after birth and may continue to grow and secrete. The findings are not consistent with the current view that breast development in infancy results from stimulation from 'pregnancy hormones.' It is more likely that the infant's own gonadal secretions are responsible.
对26名年龄在3周龄至2岁之间突然死亡的婴幼儿的乳房进行了组织学检查。腺体由形态良好的小叶组成，周围是致密的小叶间基质，而小叶内有较疏松的结缔组织。小叶内含有导管，其中许多导管扩张并含有分泌物。发现了髓外造血灶，在年龄较大的婴儿中，乳房结缔组织内脂肪明显。肌上皮细胞正常存在。此时未发现乳房发育存在性别差异。新生儿乳房发育在出生后不会迅速消退，两性的分泌活动都会持续数月。这项研究表明，人类乳腺在出生后数月仍保持活跃，可能会继续生长和分泌。这些发现与目前认为婴儿期乳房发育是由“孕期激素”刺激所致的观点不一致。更有可能是婴儿自身的性腺分泌物起了作用。
