title: Smoking, cereal consumption, and supplementation affect cadmium content in breast milk.
abstract: Breast milk might be a source of potentially toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd). The purpose of the present study is to provide data pertaining to the influence of maternal lifestyles on Cd concentrations in breast milk in the Austrian setting. Breast milk was obtained from 124 Austrian women. Each participant provided 10 ml of milk. A second group of eight mothers were recruited to investigate changes in their milk cadmium levels at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks post partum. The study participants filled a questionnaire concerning nutrition, supplementation, and smoking habits. The samples were analyzed using GF-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean Cd content in breast milk was among the lowest in Europe (0.086 +/- 0.085 microg/l, 95% CI: 0.07-0.10; n = 124). Increased Cd levels in breast milk were found to be significantly associated with frequent cereal consumption and smoking. Smokers had a two-fold higher concentration than did non-smokers (0.15 versus 0.07 microg/l; P = 0.000). In contrast, low Cd levels in breast milk were associated with the intake of supplements containing trace elements or vitamins and trace elements (P < 0.05). This protective effect of supplements on Cd levels was only observed in non-smokers. The Cd levels registered in the present investigation were far below critical levels. We conclude that the current maternal Cd levels in Austria signify no risk for the breastfed infant of a healthy mother. Further research will have to focus on the specific effects of supplementation and smoking on Cd concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universität Wien, Zentrum für Public Health, Abteilung Okotoxikologie, Waehringer Strasse 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. claudia.gundacker@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gundacker
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pietschnig
authors.forename: Karl J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salzer
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stöger
authors.forename: Gerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reimann-Dorninger
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lischka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D012907:Smoking; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium