Obesogenic Toxicants in Breast Milk of Lactating Women: Investigation of a Risk Factor for Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Background: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dispersed in all environmental compartments, are associated with increased adipogenesis and body weight. These lipophilic toxicants bioaccumulate in the human body and get transferred from mothers to their offspring via the placental circulation and breast milk. The current study was designed to compare polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) concentrations between obese and normal-weight lactating women. Methods: A cross-sectional correlation design was used to compare POP concentrations in breast milk samples of 24 obese and 21 normal-weight adult lactating women at their 2- to 8-week postpartum clinic visit. Concentrations of 12 specific PCB congeners and HCB were analyzed using high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. Results: Of 12 targeted PCB congeners, 6 were detected in the breast milk samples of obese women compared to 3 in normal-weight lactating women. PCB presence was not significantly different between the obese and normal-weight groups. HCB was not detected in any of the breast milk samples for either group. Conclusions: This exploratory study revealed no statistically significant difference in the presence of PCBs in breast milk of obese mothers compared to that of normal-weight women. Therefore, fear of increased risk of transmission of these toxicants may not be a good reason to avoid breastfeeding. Results point to the need for a large-scale multicenter study that examines the effect of PCBs on breastfeeding, considering possible geographic variations of the examined phenomenon.