Serreau, R.; Terbeche, Y.; Rigourd, V. Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Scoping Review of the Most Recent Data in 2024. Healthcare2024, 12, 680.
Serreau, R.; Terbeche, Y.; Rigourd, V. Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Scoping Review of the Most Recent Data in 2024. Healthcare 2024, 12, 680.
Serreau, R.; Terbeche, Y.; Rigourd, V. Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Scoping Review of the Most Recent Data in 2024. Healthcare2024, 12, 680.
Serreau, R.; Terbeche, Y.; Rigourd, V. Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Scoping Review of the Most Recent Data in 2024. Healthcare 2024, 12, 680.
Abstract
Background: Perinatal exposure to pollutants could lead to side-effects in mothers and children, since this is a period of high vulnerability. Sparse and contradictory data are available on the impact of pollutants on breast milk. Objective: The present study consists of a scoping to review the recent research on the persistent presence of organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals in breast milk. Design: We performed a scoping review using two online databases to identify articles published from 1995 to 2023 on pollutants in breast milk, using the PRISMA Checklist. Results: A total of 54 articles were found relevant. POPs were present in breast milk in higher concentrations the longer the lactation period. In 3-year-old children, the presence of POPs correlated with the duration of breastfeeding. Estimated dietary exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) during pregnancy was positively associated with plasma concentrations in 3-year-old children, but not in pregnant women, suggesting transplacental transfer of these substances. Indeed, plasma concentrations were approximately 40% higher in children compared to pregnant women. In China, a clinical study assessed the risks of POPs in breastfed infants under 6 months of age. POPs decreased over time. Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) was present in infants living in coastal areas. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was the pollutant of greatest concern. Parity is a major determinant of POP levels in breast milk, as are heavy metals. Carcinogenic PAHs were found to a greater extent in obese mothers than in mothers with a normal body mass index. Discussion: POPs and heavy metals could be found in infant formula as well as maternal milk. furthers studies are needed to compare the concentrations between the two milks. Conclusions: Breastfeeding is the only food recommended by the WHO for optimal infant growth. It would seem advisable to pursue risk reduction policies to protect mothers and infants from contaminants in breast milk.
Keywords
environnement; health; xenobiotics; persistant organic pollutant; heavy metals; breastfeeding
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
