1
|
Płotka-Wasylka J, Mulkiewicz E, Lis H, Godlewska K, Kurowska-Susdorf A, Sajid M, Lambropoulou D, Jatkowska N. Endocrine disrupting compounds in the baby's world - A harmful environment to the health of babies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163350. [PMID: 37023800 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there has been a significant increase in awareness of the adverse effects of chemicals with known or suspected endocrine-acting properties on human health. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) mainly occurs by ingestion and to some extent by inhalation and dermal uptake. Although it is difficult to assess the full impact of human exposure to EDCs, it is well known that timing of exposure is of importance and therefore infants are more vulnerable to EDCs and are at greater risk compared to adults. In this regard, infant safety and assessment of associations between prenatal exposure to EDCs and growth during infancy and childhood has been received considerable attention in the last years. Hence, the purpose of this review is to provide a current update on the evidence from biomonitoring studies on the exposure of infants to EDCs and a comprehensive view of the uptake, the mechanisms of action and biotransformation in baby/human body. Analytical methods used and concentration levels of EDCs in different biological matrices (e.g., placenta, cord plasma, amniotic fluid, breast milk, urine, and blood of pregnant women) are also discussed. Finally, key issues and recommendations were provided to avoid hazardous exposure to these chemicals, taking into account family and lifestyle factors related to this exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Płotka-Wasylka
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; BioTechMed Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Ewa Mulkiewicz
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Hanna Lis
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Klaudia Godlewska
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Muhammad Sajid
- Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dimitra Lambropoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Thessaloniki GR-57001, Greece
| | - Natalia Jatkowska
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 G. Narutowicza St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Timmermann CAG, Andersen MS, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Boye H, Nielsen F, Jensen RC, Bruun S, Husby S, Grandjean P, Jensen TK. Pregnancy Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Associations With Prolactin Concentrations and Breastfeeding in the Odense Child Cohort. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e631-e642. [PMID: 34529060 PMCID: PMC8764222 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Human exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with reduced duration of breastfeeding, although not consistently so, and mechanisms by which PFAS might affect breastfeeding are unknown. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between early pregnancy serum-PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding termination and to elucidate the potential role of serum-prolactin concentrations in pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pregnant women from the Odense Child Cohort provided blood samples for analysis of 5 major PFAS (n = 1300) and prolactin concentrations (n = 924). They subsequently provided information about the duration of breastfeeding in questionnaires at 3 and 18 months postpartum, and a subgroup also provided breastfeeding information via weekly cell phone text messages. Associations between serum-PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding termination were analyzed using Cox regressions, while linear regression was used to assess associations between serum-PFAS and prolactin concentrations. RESULTS Increased serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, and ∑PFAS were associated with a 16% (95% CI: 4%-30%), 14% (95% CI: 2%-26%), 14% (95% CI: 3%-27%), and 20% (95% CI: 6%-36%), respectively, increased risk of terminating breastfeeding at any given time after childbirth. Serum-PFAS concentrations were not associated with serum-prolactin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS These findings are of public health importance due to the global exposures to PFAS. Because breastfeeding is crucial to promote both child health and maternal health, adverse PFAS effects on the ability to breastfeed may have long-term health consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann
- Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann, MSc, PhD, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Henriette Boye
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Richard Christian Jensen
- Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Signe Bruun
- Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University Hospital and University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Strategic Business Unit Pediatric, Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S, Viby J, Denmark
| | - Steffen Husby
- Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University Hospital and University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Child Cohort, Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Open Patient data Exploratory Network (OPEN), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Timmermann CAG, Pedersen HS, Weihe P, Bjerregaard P, Nielsen F, Heilmann C, Grandjean P. Concentrations of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies in vaccinated Greenlandic children aged 7-12 years exposed to marine pollutants, a cross sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111712. [PMID: 34343554 PMCID: PMC11061314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown immunotoxic effects of environmental chemicals, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently identified a need for more studies on PFAS immunotoxicity in different populations. In the Arctic, populations are exposed to several environmental chemicals through marine diet, and the objective of this study was therefore to examine the association between Greenlandic children's exposure to major environmental chemicals and their concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus vaccine antibodies after vaccination. The study includes cross-sectional data from Greenlandic children aged 7-12 years examined during 2012-2015. A total of 338 children were eligible for the study, and 175 of these had available vaccination records. A parent or guardian participated in a structured interview, and a blood sample from the child was analyzed for specific antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus as well as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and total mercury. Furthermore, for a subgroup, blood samples from pregnancy were available and analyzed for environmental contaminants. The associations between the environmental exposures and antibody concentrations and odds of having antibody concentrations below the protective level were examined in linear and logistic regression models. In crude analyses, elevated concentrations of some of the contaminants were associated with higher concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus antibodies, but the associations were reversed when adjusting for area of residence, and duration of being breastfed and including children with a known vaccination date only. Each 1 ng/mL increase in serum concentrations of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was associated with decreases of 78 % (95 % CI: 25-94 %) and 9 % (95 % CI: 2-16 %), respectively, in diphtheria antibody concentrations. Exposure to PCBs and all PFASs was associated with markedly increased odds of having diphtheria antibody concentrations below the protective level. For each 1 ng/mL increase in serum concentrations of PFHxS, PFOS, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), odds of not having protective levels of diphtheria antibodies were increased 6.44 times (95 % CI: 1.51-27.36), 1.14 times (95 % CI: 1.04-1.26), 1.96 times (95 % CI: 1.07-3.60), and 5.08 times (95 % CI: 1.32-19.51, respectively. No consistent associations were seen between maternal contaminant concentrations and vaccine antibody concentrations. In conclusion, we found that increased exposure to environmental chemicals among children in this Arctic population were associated with a decrease in post-vaccination antibody concentrations and with increased odds of not being protected against diphtheria despite appropriate vaccination. These findings emphasize the risk of environmental chemical exposures also in this Arctic population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Henning Sloth Pedersen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- Pediatric Clinic, Rigshospitalet - National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kunysz M, Mora-Janiszewska O, Darmochwał-Kolarz D. Epigenetic Modifications Associated with Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094693. [PMID: 33946662 PMCID: PMC8124363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains a significant clinical and public health issue due to its increasing prevalence and the possibility for numerous short- and long-term complications. The growing incidence of GDM seems to coincide with the widespread use of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The extensive production and common use of these substances in everyday life has resulted in constant exposure to harmful substances from the environment. That may result in epigenetic changes, which may manifest themselves also after many years and be passed on to future generations. It is important to consider the possible link between environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy, epigenetic mechanisms and an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This manuscript attempts to summarize data on epigenetic changes in pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes in association with EDCs. There is a chance that epigenetic marks may serve as a tool for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic measures.
Collapse
|
5
|
Kim SH, Jun EY. Factors Influencing Behavior of Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Breastfeeding Mothers. KOREAN JOURNAL OF WOMEN HEALTH NURSING 2018; 24:423-434. [PMID: 37684948 DOI: 10.4069/kjwhn.2018.24.4.423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate factors that affect behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in breastfeeding mothers. METHODS Subjects were 166 breastfeeding mothers who were recruited from January 25 to April 15, 2018. The questionnaire consisted of items associated with behaviors of reducing exposure to EDCs, attitude to behaviors of reducing exposure, subject norms of behavior of reducing exposure, and perceived behavior control. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS Factors influencing behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs were attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure, perceived barrier, and period of lactation. The more positive the attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure was, the lower the perceived barrier. The longer the feeding period, the higher the behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs. CONCLUSION To enhance behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, it is necessary to develop a positive educational program in breastfeeding department to improve attitude toward behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, decrease perceived barrier, and increase the breastfeeding period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Hyang Kim
- Director, Momslibe Lactation Consulting Center, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Eun Young Jun
- Director, Momslibe Lactation Consulting Center, Daejeon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kingsley SL, Eliot MN, Kelsey KT, Calafat AM, Ehrlich S, Lanphear BP, Chen A, Braun JM. Variability and predictors of serum perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations during pregnancy and early childhood. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 165:247-257. [PMID: 29734025 PMCID: PMC6309672 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants, could be associated with adverse health outcomes, but there are limited longitudinal data assessing patterns and predictors of exposure during childhood. We quantified concentrations of eight different PFAS in sera collected from women during pregnancy and children at delivery and ages 3 and 8 years in 367 mother-child pairs enrolled in a prospective cohort from 2003 to 2006. In general, median childhood PFAS concentrations increased from birth to age 3 and then decreased by age 8. Maternal serum PFAS concentrations during pregnancy were strongly correlated with cord serum concentrations (0.76 < r < 0.94), but were weakly correlated with childhood concentrations (0.12 < r < 0.30). Several sociodemographic factors were associated with maternal PFAS concentrations, including income, race, and parity. In children, serum PFAS concentrations were associated with maternal age at delivery, race, parity, and child age. Breastfeeding duration was positively associated with childhood PFAS concentrations at ages 3 and 8 years. In addition, stain repellant use was associated with higher perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid concentrations at age 8 years. Serum PFAS concentrations are higher during early childhood, a potentially sensitive period of development, and were highest among breastfed children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Kingsley
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Melissa N Eliot
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Karl T Kelsey
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelley Ehrlich
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Moosa A, Shu H, Sarachana T, Hu VW. Are endocrine disrupting compounds environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorder? Horm Behav 2018; 101:13-21. [PMID: 29042182 PMCID: PMC5913002 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shifted in part from a singular focus on genetic causes to the involvement of environmental factors and their gene interactions. This shift in focus is a result of the rapidly increasing prevalence of ASD coupled with the incomplete penetrance of this disorder in monozygotic twins. One such area of environmentally focused research is the association of exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) with elevated risk for ASD. EDCs are exogenous chemicals that can alter endogenous hormone activity and homeostasis, thus potentially disrupting the action of sex and other natural hormones at all stages of human development. Inasmuch as sex hormones play a fundamental role in brain development and sexual differentiation, exposure to EDCs in utero during critical stages of development can have lasting neurological and other physiological influences on the developing fetus and, ultimately, the child as well as adult. This review will focus on the possible contributions of EDCs to autism risk and pathogenesis by first discussing the influence of endogenous sex hormones on the autistic phenotype, followed by a review of documented human exposures to EDCs and associations with behaviors relevant to ASD. Mechanistic links between EDC exposures and aberrant neurodevelopment and behaviors are then considered, with emphasis on EDC-induced transcriptional profiles derived from animal and cellular studies. Finally, this review will discuss possible mechanisms through which EDC exposure can lead to persistent changes in gene expression and phenotype, which may in turn contribute to transgenerational inheritance of ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amer Moosa
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Henry Shu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| | - Tewarit Sarachana
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical Technology Branch, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Rama I Rd., Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Valerie W Hu
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 Eye St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Grandjean P, Heilmann C, Weihe P, Nielsen F, Mogensen UB, Timmermann A, Budtz-Jørgensen E. Estimated exposures to perfluorinated compounds in infancy predict attenuated vaccine antibody concentrations at age 5-years. J Immunotoxicol 2018; 14:188-195. [PMID: 28805477 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2017.1360968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) are highly persistent and may cause immunotoxic effects. PFAS-associated attenuated antibody responses to childhood vaccines may be affected by PFAS exposures during infancy, where breastfeeding adds to PFAS exposures. Of 490 members of a Faroese birth cohort, 275 and 349 participated in clinical examinations and provided blood samples at ages 18 months and 5 years. PFAS concentrations were measured at birth and at the clinical examinations. Using information on duration of breastfeeding, serum-PFAS concentration profiles during infancy were estimated. As outcomes, serum concentrations of antibodies against tetanus and diphtheria vaccines were determined at age 5. Data from a previous cohort born eight years earlier were available for pooled analyses. Pre-natal exposure showed inverse associations with the antibody concentrations five years later, with decreases by up to about 20% for each two-fold higher exposure, while associations for serum concentrations at ages 18 months and 5 years were weaker. Modeling of serum-PFAS concentration showed levels for age 18 months that were similar to those measured. Concentrations estimated for ages 3 and 6 months showed the strongest inverse associations with antibody concentrations at age 5 years, particularly for tetanus. Joint analyses showed statistically significant decreases in tetanus antibody concentrations by 19-29% at age 5 for each doubling of the PFAS exposure in early infancy. These findings support the notion that the developing adaptive immune system is particularly vulnerable to immunotoxicity during infancy. This vulnerability appears to be the greatest during the first 6 months after birth, where PFAS exposures are affected by breast-feeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Grandjean
- a Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- c Pediatric Clinic , Rigshospitalet - National University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Pal Weihe
- d Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health , Faroese Hospital System , Torshavn , Faroe Islands
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | - Ulla B Mogensen
- e Department of Biostatistics , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Amalie Timmermann
- b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) might increase the risk of childhood diseases by disrupting hormone-mediated processes that are critical for growth and development during gestation, infancy and childhood. The fetus, infant and child might have enhanced sensitivity to environmental stressors such as EDCs due to their rapid development and increased exposure to some EDCs as a consequence of development-specific behaviour, anatomy and physiology. In this Review, I discuss epidemiological studies examining the relationship between early-life exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, triclosan and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with childhood neurobehavioural disorders and obesity. The available epidemiological evidence suggest that prenatal exposure to several of these ubiquitous EDCs is associated with adverse neurobehaviour (BPA and phthalates) and excess adiposity or increased risk of obesity and/or overweight (PFAS). Quantifying the effects of EDC mixtures, improving EDC exposure assessment, reducing bias from confounding, identifying periods of heightened vulnerability and elucidating the presence and nature of sexually dimorphic EDC effects would enable stronger inferences to be made from epidemiological studies than currently possible. Ultimately, improved estimates of the causal effects of EDC exposures on child health could help identify susceptible subpopulations and lead to public health interventions to reduce these exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mogensen UB, Grandjean P, Nielsen F, Weihe P, Budtz-Jørgensen E. Breastfeeding as an Exposure Pathway for Perfluorinated Alkylates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:10466-73. [PMID: 26291735 PMCID: PMC6190571 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) are widely used and have resulted in human exposures worldwide. PFASs occur in breast milk, and the duration of breastfeeding is associated with serum-PFAS concentrations in children. To determine the time-dependent impact of this exposure pathway, we examined the serum concentrations of five major PFASs in a Faroese birth cohort at birth, and at ages 11, 18, and 60 months. Information about the children's breastfeeding history was obtained from the mothers. The trajectory of serum-PFAS concentrations during months with and without breastfeeding was examined by linear mixed models that accounted for the correlations of the PFAS measurements for each child. The models were adjusted for confounders such as body size. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with increases of most PFAS concentrations by up to 30% per month, with lower increases during partial breast-feeding. In contrast to this main pattern, perfluorohexanesulfonate was not affected by breast-feeding. After cessation of breastfeeding, all serum concentrations decreased. This finding supports the evidence of breastfeeding being an important exposure pathway to some PFASs in infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulla B. Mogensen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215
- Address correspondence author. ; phone: (617) 384-8907; fax: (617) 384-8994
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Pal Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroese Hospital System, 100 Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chang MH, Molla MT, Truman BI, Athar H, Moonesinghe R, Yoon PW. Differences in healthy life expectancy for the US population by sex, race/ethnicity and geographic region: 2008. J Public Health (Oxf) 2014; 37:470-9. [DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdu059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
12
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the public health significance of premature weaning of infants from breast milk on later-life risk of chronic illness. DESIGN A review and summary of recent meta-analyses of studies linking premature weaning from breast milk with later-life chronic disease risk is presented followed by an estimation of the approximate exposure in a developed Western country, based on historical breast-feeding prevalence data for Australia since 1927. The population-attributable proportion of chronic disease associated with current patterns of artificial feeding in infancy is estimated. RESULTS After adjustment for major confounding variables, current research suggests that the risks of chronic disease are 30-200 % higher in those who were not breast-fed compared to those who were breast-fed in infancy. Exposure to premature weaning ranges from 20 % to 90 % in post-World War II age cohorts. Overall, the attributable proportion of chronic disease in the population is estimated at 6-24 % for a 30 % exposure to premature weaning. CONCLUSIONS Breast-feeding is of public health significance in preventing chronic disease. There is a small but consistent effect of premature weaning from breast milk in increasing later-life chronic disease risk. Risk exposure in the Australian population is substantial. Approximately 90 % of current 35-45-year-olds were weaned from breast-feeding by 6 months of age. Encouraging greater duration and exclusivity of breast-feeding is a potential avenue for reducing future chronic disease burden and health system costs.
Collapse
|
13
|
|