Key Takeaways

A missing nutrient in breast milk might explain health problems among children of moms with HIV

Their breast milk has significantly lower levels of tryptophan, an essential amino acid

Tryptophan is important for immune function, growth and brain development

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Babies born to women living with HIV often struggle with health problems and delayed development, even if they aren’t infected with the virus themselves.

The mothers’ breast milk might have something to do with it, a study published Oct. 28 in Nature Communications argues.

Breast milk in women with HIV contains significantly lower levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan, researchers found.

Tryptophan is important for an infant’s immune function, growth and brai

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