Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in livers of U.S. human fetuses and newborns

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants found to contaminate human populations globally.
• The United States exhibits the highest reported levels of PBDEs in human breast milk and blood.
• Previous research indicated PBDE presence in U.S. cord blood, but data on fetal tissue levels were lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in human fetal and infant liver tissues.
• To investigate the transfer of PBDEs from maternal circulation to fetal tissues.
• To establish baseline PBDE concentrations in the prenatal period.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of liver tissues from 4 stillborn fetuses and 7 liveborn infants (20.5–39 weeks gestational age).
• Tissue samples were analyzed for Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) content.
• Focus on intrauterine exposure, as infants had limited postnatal intake.

Main Results:

• All analyzed liver tissue samples were contaminated with Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
• PBDE levels ranged from 4 to 98 ppb (lipid), with a mean of 23.1 ppb and median of 15.2 ppb.
• No significant correlation was found between PBDE levels and gestational age.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first peer-reviewed data documenting Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) transfer to human fetal and perinatal tissues.
• Prenatal exposure to PBDEs is a documented phenomenon in the U.S. population.
• The long-term health implications of prenatal PBDE contamination require further investigation.