Impact of lactational per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure on infant gut microbiota and potential mediating effects on infant neurodevelopment
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Exposure to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in breast milk is linked to lower infant neurodevelopmental scores. Gut bacteria disruption by PFAS may explain these delays, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for infant health.
Area Of Science
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Science
- Microbiome Research
Background
- Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) exposure is linked to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.
- The impact of PFAS on infant neurodevelopmental trajectories is not well understood.
- Human milk and infant gut microbiome are critical for early development.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the association between lactational PFAS exposure and infant neurodevelopment.
- To explore the role of the infant gut microbiome as a mediator in PFAS-induced neurodevelopmental effects.
- To identify specific PFAS compounds and microbial species involved in these associations.
Main Methods
- Longitudinal study of 114 mother-infant pairs with sample collection at 0.5, 1, and 3 months postpartum.
- Analysis of human milk and infant fecal samples for PFAS concentrations and gut microbiome composition.
- Infant neurodevelopmental assessment at 6 months using Ages & Stages Questionnaires Third Edition and Social-Emotional scales.
Main Results
- Higher concentrations of specific PFAS (PFOS, PFOA) in human milk correlated with lower infant scores across multiple neurodevelopmental domains (communication, motor skills, problem-solving, social-personal).
- PFAS exposure, particularly long-chain variants and PFOS, altered the infant gut microbiome, increasing harmful bacteria (e.g., Klebsiella variicola, Enterococcus faecium, Clostridium perfringens) and decreasing beneficial ones (e.g., Bifidobacterium breve, Streptococcus).
- Mediation analysis indicated that gut bacteria like Clostridium perfringens and Streptococcus partially explained the link between PFAS exposure and fine motor/gross motor deficits, respectively.
Conclusions
- Lactational exposure to PFAS is associated with impaired infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- The infant gut microbiome acts as a mechanistic link between PFAS exposure and neurodevelopmental delays.
- Targeting the gut microbiota may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS exposure in infants.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
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...
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...