Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

A comparison of PCDD/PCDFs exposure in infants via formula milk or breast milk feeding

Jing-Fang Hsu1, Yueliang Leon Guo, Chun-Hu Liu

  • 1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 70428, Taiwan.

Chemosphere
|June 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) were analyzed in Taiwanese infant formula and breast milk. Breast milk showed significantly higher PCDD/PCDF levels, impacting infant daily intake assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Food is the primary source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the human body.
  • During infancy, breast milk and formula milk are the main dietary sources of PCDD/PCDFs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct congener-specific analyses of 17 PCDD/PCDFs in infant formula and breast milk samples from southern Taiwan.
  • To assess the levels and compare the average daily intakes (ADI) of PCDD/PCDFs for formula-feeding and breast-feeding infants.

Main Methods:

  • Congener-specific analysis of 17 PCDD/PCDFs.
  • Analysis of 10 milk-based formula milk samples.
  • Analysis of 37 breast milk samples from women in southern Taiwan.

Main Results:

  • Formula milk samples contained PCDD/PCDFs ranging from 0.468 to 0.962 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid (mean 0.713+/-0.163 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid).
  • Breast milk samples showed significantly higher PCDD/PCDF levels, ranging from 4.21 to 52.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid (mean 14.7+/-9.36 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid).
  • At 12 months, ADI of PCDD/PCDFs was 2.1 pg WHO-TEQ/kg/day for formula-fed infants versus 13 pg WHO-TEQ/kg/day for breast-fed infants.

Conclusions:

  • Breast milk in southern Taiwan has higher PCDD/PCDF contamination than formula milk.
  • Infants exclusively breast-fed have a substantially higher daily intake of PCDD/PCDFs.
  • The findings provide crucial data for risk-benefit evaluations concerning infant feeding practices.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets08:12

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Published on: September 6, 2019

Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit07:38

Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit

Published on: December 16, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...