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Health outcomes in offspring of mothers with breast implants
K Kjøller1, J K McLaughlin, S Friis
1Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
This study found no evidence that silicone breast implants increase risks for esophageal disorders or other health issues in children. The observed patterns suggest women seeking cosmetic surgery may access healthcare more readily.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health
- Pediatric health
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding potential health effects of silicone breast implants on offspring.
- Previous studies have not conclusively addressed the risks of esophageal disorders, connective tissue diseases, or congenital malformations in children born to mothers with breast implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of esophageal disorders, connective tissue diseases, and congenital malformations in children of mothers with breast implants.
- To compare these risks with a cohort of women who underwent breast reduction surgery.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide register-based follow-up study was conducted.
- Offspring born between 1977 and 1992 to mothers with cosmetic breast implants (n=1135) and breast reduction surgery (n=7071) were analyzed.
- Cause-specific hospitalization rates were compared to the general population using the Danish National Registry of Patients.
Main Results:
- Children of mothers with breast implants showed higher rates of esophageal disorders, but this was similar for those born before and after surgery.
- Children of mothers who underwent breast reduction also had higher-than-expected hospitalization rates for these conditions.
- No significant increases in connective tissue diseases or congenital malformations were observed in either cohort.
Conclusions:
- The study provides no evidence that silicone breast implants impact the risk of esophageal or other disorders in children.
- The findings suggest that women undergoing cosmetic breast surgery may have a lower threshold for seeking medical care for common issues.
Objective:
To examine the occurrence of esophageal disorders, connective tissue diseases, and congenital malformations in children of mothers with breast implants.
Methods:
Nationwide register-based follow-up study of all offspring born during 1977 to 1992 to a cohort of 1135 women with breast implants for cosmetic reasons and to a comparison cohort of 7071 women who underwent breast reduction surgery. Cause-specific hospi-talization rates among offspring, relative to those of the general population, were calculated from the Danish National Registry of Patients.
Results:
Among the 939 children of mothers with breast implants, higher rates of esophageal disorders were observed, but the excess was similar for those born before versus after the implant surgery. Higher than expected hospitalization rates for these conditions were also observed among 3906 children of women who underwent breast reduction surgery. No significant increases in connective tissue diseases or congenital malformations were observed in either the breast implant or breast reduction cohorts.
Conclusions:
This first epidemiologic cohort study provides no evidence that silicone breast implants affect risks of esophageal or other disorders in children of the implantees. Rather, the observed risk pattern suggests that a lower threshold exists among both groups of women who have undergone cosmetic breast surgery in seeking professional medical care for problems normally solved outside the hospital.