[Environmental toxins in breast milk].
BACKGROUND
Breast milk is very important to ensure infants a well-composed and safe diet during the first year of life. However, the quality of breast milk seems to be affected by an increasing amount of environmental toxins (particularly so-called Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins [PBTs]). Many concerns have been raised about the negative effects this may have on infant health.


METHODS
The article is a review of literature (mainly review articles) identified through a non-systematic search in PubMed.


RESULTS
The concentration of PBTs in breast milk is mainly caused by man's position as the terminal link in the nutritional chain. Many breast-fed infants have a daily intake of such toxins that exceed limits defined for the population in general. Animal studies demonstrate effects on endocrine function and neurotoxicity in the offspring, and a number of human studies seem to point in the same direction. However the "original" optimal composition of breast milk still seems to protect against long-term effects of such toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
There is international consensus about the need to monitor breast milk for the presence of PBTs. Such surveillance will be a good indicator of the population's general exposure to these toxins and may also contribute to identifying groups as risk who should not breast-feed their children for a long time.
Bratlid
Dag
D
Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, barne- og kvinnesykdommer, Det medisinske fakultet, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet og Barne- og ungdomsklinikken, St. Olavs hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. dag.bratlid@ntnu.no
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012307:Risk Factors
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D009930:Organic Chemicals