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Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Lipid Composition in Human Breast Milk and Their Correlation with
Ming-Hsien Tsai1,2,3, How-Ran Chao3,4,5, Wen-Li Hsu2,3,6
1Department of Child Care, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan.
Insights
Human breast milk (HBM) contains flame retardants (PBDEs) and lipids that may affect infant neurodevelopment. Lipid components in HBM are directly important for infant neurodevelopment, more so than PBDEs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Human breast milk (HBM) composition is variable and can be influenced by environmental contaminants like flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
- The impact of PBDEs and HBM lipid profiles on infant neurodevelopment is a critical public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PBDEs and lipid components in HBM and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- To determine the relative importance of PBDEs versus HBM lipids in predicting infant neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Lipidomic analysis of 100 HBM samples for 30 PBDE congeners and various lipid components.
- High-resolution gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry were employed for sample analysis.
- Infant neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley-III scale at 8 to 12 months of age.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between seven PBDEs, 35 lipids, and 27 fatty acids in HBM and Bayley-III scores.
- Multivariate analysis confirmed PBDEs and lipid components as significant predictors of infant neurodevelopment.
- Specific fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid showed no association with neurodevelopment in this population.
Conclusions:
- While certain PBDEs may influence infant neurodevelopment, HBM lipid components appear to play a more direct and significant role.
- This study highlights the critical importance of HBM lipid composition for healthy infant neurodevelopment.
Abstract:
Breastfeeding is recommended over formula feeding, but human breast milk (HBM) composition varies and can be affected by food additives. Whether flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) found in HBM interact with lipid components of HBM to impede infant neurodevelopment is a critical public health issue. Using lipidomic analysis, we examined the association of PBDEs in HBM and HBM lipid components with infant neurodevelopment. HBM samples (n = 100) were collected at the beginning stage of breastfeeding and analyzed for 30 PBDE congeners as well as a group of lipid components by using high-resolution gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Infants were examined at 8 to 12 months of age by using the Bayley-III to assess neurodevelopment. A total of seven PBDEs, 35 lipids, and 27 fatty acids in HBM showed significant associations with Bayley-III scores. Multivariate analysis confirmed that these candidate PBDEs and lipid components were significant predictors of infant neurodevelopment. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid in HBM showed no association with infant neurodevelopment in the general Taiwanese population. While certain PBDEs may play a role, our findings indicate that the lipid components of HBM are directly important for infant neurodevelopment.
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