Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview

Breast milk is the reference food for the infant both for its content in nutrients, necessary for normal growth and development, and for the presence of biologically active substances that provide protection from infections and a lower susceptibility to several non-communicable diseases typical of a...

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Main Authors: Sergio Bernasconi, Maria Elisabeth Street, Lorenzo Iughetti, Barbara Predieri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-12-01
Series:Global Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667009722000112
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author Sergio Bernasconi
Maria Elisabeth Street
Lorenzo Iughetti
Barbara Predieri
author_facet Sergio Bernasconi
Maria Elisabeth Street
Lorenzo Iughetti
Barbara Predieri
author_sort Sergio Bernasconi
collection DOAJ
description Breast milk is the reference food for the infant both for its content in nutrients, necessary for normal growth and development, and for the presence of biologically active substances that provide protection from infections and a lower susceptibility to several non-communicable diseases typical of adulthood. However, substances that the mother assimilates from the environment, and which can be potentially harmful, can be concentrated in breast milk. In fact, for a long time, breast milk has been considered a reliable biomarker of the environment. The huge increase in the production and use of chemicals that has occurred in recent decades with consequent wide dispersion in the soil, water and air makes it necessary to carefully evaluate the levels of contamination. Based on a synthetic review of current knowledge, it can be confirmed that breast milk is always the first choice. However, various aspects remain to be clarified based on more robust scientific data. This review aims to stimulate further research, managed by multi-disciplinary teams which, with the use of the most modern chemical analysis tools, determine the presence of exogenous chemicals in longitudinal studies during pregnancy and lactation, clarifying their metabolic fate and evaluating them in the 'scope of global exposure (exposome). To this end, the gaps present in the studies conducted so far are also highlighted to make future scientific approaches increasingly robust.
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spelling doaj.art-9ddc59bb34824737b5644733fed493452023-08-05T05:18:01ZengElsevierGlobal Pediatrics2667-00972022-12-012100017Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overviewSergio Bernasconi0Maria Elisabeth Street1Lorenzo Iughetti2Barbara Predieri3Microbiome Research Hub- University of Parma, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Corresponding author at: M.E. Street, Unit of Paediatrics, Dept of Medicine and Surgery, AOU of Parma, P. Barilla Childrens Hospital, Via Gramsci, 14 43124 Parma.Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, ItalyPediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, ItalyBreast milk is the reference food for the infant both for its content in nutrients, necessary for normal growth and development, and for the presence of biologically active substances that provide protection from infections and a lower susceptibility to several non-communicable diseases typical of adulthood. However, substances that the mother assimilates from the environment, and which can be potentially harmful, can be concentrated in breast milk. In fact, for a long time, breast milk has been considered a reliable biomarker of the environment. The huge increase in the production and use of chemicals that has occurred in recent decades with consequent wide dispersion in the soil, water and air makes it necessary to carefully evaluate the levels of contamination. Based on a synthetic review of current knowledge, it can be confirmed that breast milk is always the first choice. However, various aspects remain to be clarified based on more robust scientific data. This review aims to stimulate further research, managed by multi-disciplinary teams which, with the use of the most modern chemical analysis tools, determine the presence of exogenous chemicals in longitudinal studies during pregnancy and lactation, clarifying their metabolic fate and evaluating them in the 'scope of global exposure (exposome). To this end, the gaps present in the studies conducted so far are also highlighted to make future scientific approaches increasingly robust.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667009722000112Breast milkMilkEnvironmental contaminantsEndocrine disruptors
spellingShingle Sergio Bernasconi
Maria Elisabeth Street
Lorenzo Iughetti
Barbara Predieri
Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
Global Pediatrics
Breast milk
Milk
Environmental contaminants
Endocrine disruptors
title Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
title_full Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
title_fullStr Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
title_full_unstemmed Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
title_short Chemical contaminants in breast milk: a brief critical overview
title_sort chemical contaminants in breast milk a brief critical overview
topic Breast milk
Milk
Environmental contaminants
Endocrine disruptors
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667009722000112
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