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Duration of breastfeeding and serum PCB 153 concentrations in children

Kinga Lancz1, Irva Hertz-Picciotto2, Todd A Jusko3

  • 1Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia.

Environmental Research
|December 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a new model to accurately assess infant exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through breast milk. The improved method uses serum PCB 153 concentration at weaning to better understand dose-outcome relationships.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent, bioaccumulative toxins found in human breast milk.
  • Infants are at risk of significant PCB exposure through breastfeeding.
  • Current exposure estimations based solely on milk levels and duration may be inaccurate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a more accurate method for assessing infant exposure to PCBs.
  • To improve the validity of dose-outcome relationship assessments for PCBs.

Main Methods:

  • Determined PCB 153 serum concentration at weaning in 305 breastfed infants.
  • Utilized 5 time-point concentration measurements over 7 years and breastfeeding duration data.
  • Developed a polynomial function to model PCB 153 serum concentration adjusted for cord serum levels.

Main Results:

  • A polynomial function (Ctbf/C0=0.596+0.278t-0.0047t(2)) was derived to predict PCB 153 exposure.
  • Adjustment of serum concentrations to cord serum levels enhanced exposure assessment validity.
  • The model reliably predicts PCB 153 exposure in breastfed infants.

Conclusions:

  • Serum PCB 153 concentration at weaning provides a reliable measure of infant exposure.
  • Adjusting for cord serum concentration improves exposure assessment accuracy.
  • This refined method is crucial for understanding PCB dose-outcome relationships in infants.

Keywords:
BreastfeedingPCB 153 serum concentrationPCB exposure assessmentPolynomial functionToxicokinetics

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