Determinants of Potentially Toxic Element Concentrations in Human Colostrum: A Cross- Sectional Study in Curitiba,...

Human milk, particularly colostrum, is a valuable matrix for human biomonitoring because it reflects early-life exposure to potentially toxic elements during a critical period of neonatal development.

To identify biological, socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations in colostrum from lactating women living in Southern Brazil.

This cross-sectional study included 61 lactating women recruited at a public maternity hospital. Colostrum samples were collected, lyophilized, digested, and analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Element-specific statistical strategies were applied to account for left-censored data. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with detectable concentrations (≥ limit of quantification), and multiple linear regression models were applied for continuous outcomes when all samples were quantifiable.

Arsenic concentrations were below detection limits in all samples. Cadmium showed extreme left-censoring, with only three samples above the limit of quantification. Lead concentrations were quantifiable in 45.9% of samples and tap water consumption showed a borderline association with detectable lead (OR = 3.01, p = .066). Aluminum was detected in 100% of samples and was inversely associated with maternal age (β = -0.038, p = .021).

Potentially toxic elements showed distinct detection patterns and determinants in colostrum. These findings support the use of colostrum as a valuable matrix for assessing early-life chemical exposure and may inform maternal-infant environmental biomonitoring strategies while reinforcing breastfeeding promotion and protection.