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The lead concentration of reconstituted infant formula
1Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60614-3394, USA. c-baum@nwu.edu
Insights
Home preparation of infant formula using tap water may expose infants to lead. Two of 40 samples exceeded safe lead levels, highlighting potential hazards in formula reconstitution practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Toxicology
Background:
- Infant formula reconstitution is a common practice for infant feeding.
- Potential contaminants in home-prepared formula are a public health concern.
- Lead exposure in infants can lead to developmental issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infant formula reconstitution methods.
- To quantify lead concentrations in home-prepared reconstituted infant formula.
- To identify risks associated with formula preparation.
Main Methods:
- Convenience sampling of infants under 9 months in an urban emergency department.
- Questionnaire on infant feeding practices and formula preparation.
- Analysis of home-prepared formula samples for lead concentration using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Main Results:
- Two of 40 (5%) infant formula samples exceeded the EPA action level for safe water (15 µg/L).
- Elevated lead levels (17 µg/L and 70 µg/L) were found in formulas prepared with cold tap water from older homes (>20 years).
- No significant correlation was found between infant age and lead concentration.
Conclusions:
- Reconstituting infant formula with tap water may pose an inadvertent lead hazard to infants.
- Healthcare providers should educate parents on safe formula preparation practices.
- Further research is needed to assess the prevalence and impact of lead exposure from formula reconstitution.
Objective:
To characterize practices of infant formula reconstitution and to measure the lead concentration of the home-prepared reconstituted infant formula.
Methods:
Convenience sample of metropolitan Boston infants less than 9 months of age who were being evaluated in an urban pediatric emergency department and had home-prepared reconstituted infant formula available. A questionnaire was administered to gather demographic information and details of formula preparation. A 30-90 mL sample of home-prepared reconstituted infant formula was collected in an acid-washed, distilled water-rinsed glass tube, then analyzed for lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (precision +/- 2 micrograms/L or 2 ppb).
Results:
Forty infants were evaluated. Mean (SD) chronological age was 112 +/- 78 d. Reported daily reconstituted infant formula daily volume was 870 +/- 300 mL. Two of the 40 samples (5% [95% CI: 2.0, 18.2%]) had lead concentrations above 15 micrograms/L, the current action level for safe water according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The two samples with lead concentrations of 17 and 70 micrograms/L were prepared using cold tap water (water run for 5 and 30 sec, respectively) drawn from the plumbing of houses greater than 20 years old.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that the use of infant formulas which require reconstitution may present inadvertent lead hazards to young infants. Pediatricians should provide education about these potentially hazardous practices to parents who use these formulas.