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Early-life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and infant gut microbial composition

Hannah E Laue1, Yuka Moroishi1, Thomas J Palys1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH.

Environmental Epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|February 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human milk may alter the infant gut microbiome. Exposure to specific PFAS, like PFOS, was linked to increased microbial diversity and changes in bacterial abundance.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Microbiome Research
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Human milk provides essential nutrients but can contain toxicants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
  • Emerging evidence suggests PFAS exposure may impact the immune system, potentially through alterations in the gut microbiome.
  • Understanding the relationship between maternal PFAS exposure via human milk and infant gut microbiome development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure through human milk and the infant gut microbiome composition.
  • To identify specific PFAS compounds and their impact on microbial diversity and bacterial relative abundance in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in human milk samples using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Collection of infant stool samples at 6 weeks and 1 year postpartum for metagenomic sequencing.
  • Linear regression models were used to assess the association between PFAS levels (including ΣPFAS) and microbiome diversity and species abundance, with adjustments for confounders.

Main Results:

  • PFOS and PFOA were frequently detected in human milk (94% and 83%, respectively).
  • PFOS exposure was associated with increased gut microbiome diversity at 6 weeks in exclusively breastfed infants and those born to primiparous mothers.
  • Total PFAS (ΣPFAS) showed an association with a decreased relative abundance of *Bacteroides vulgatus* at 1 year.

Conclusions:

  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure via human milk may influence infant gut microbiome development, potentially increasing diversity and altering bacterial composition.
  • Specific PFAS, such as PFOS, demonstrate associations with distinct microbiome alterations in early infancy.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the long-term health implications of PFAS-induced microbiome changes in infants.

Keywords:
Human milkMetagenomicsMicrobiomePer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

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