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Preliminary study on bisphenol A levels and possible exposure history of mother and exclusively breastfed infant pairs

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine bisphenol A (BPA) levels in breast milk and urine specimens of healthy mother and exclusively breastfed infant pairs having no known BPA exposure, and also to examine the relationship between BPA levels and possible BPA exposure history. Forty mothers and their 1–2-month-old exclusively breastfeed infant were included in the study. The questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics and possible BPA exposure history were filled out. Breast milk and urine samples were taken. BPA analyses of these samples were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. All mother-infant pairs showed detectable BPA concentrations. The geometric means of BPA levels in breast milk, maternal urine, and infant urine were determined as 0.12 μg/L (0.03–0.59), 0.12 μg/L (0.03–0.73), and 0.13 μg/L (0.02–0.44), respectively. Infants whose mothers were consuming yoghurt in plastic containers had relatively higher urinary BPA levels (p = 0.00). Mothers consuming hot beverages in plastic glass showed higher breast milk BPA levels (p = 0.033). There were no statistical associations between BPA levels and the use of plastic materials and tools (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The measurable BPA concentrations in all breast milk specimens of healthy mothers may reflect possible exposure from dietary or non-dietary sources. Exclusively, breastfed healthy infants without any known BPA exposure may be exposed to BPA from their mothers through breastfeeding.

What is Known:

• Fetuses, neonates and infants are exposed to BPA from their mothers through placental transfer and breastfeeding.

• Breast milk is considered a continuous low-level exposure to BPA.

What is New:

• BPA was detected in 100% of maternal urine, infant urine, and breast milk in healthy mother-infant pairs having no known BPA exposure.

• The measurable amount of BPA in breast milk and infant urine may reflect possible BPA exposure of mother-infant pairs.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

BPA:

Bisphenol A

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

LC-MS/MS:

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

PVC:

Polyvinylchloride

UHT:

Ultra high temperature

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Funding

The study is supported by Ankara University Research Fund (Project code 16 L0230005).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Social Pediatrics, Ankara University, Dikimevi, 06100, Ankara, Turkey

    Ilker Ufuk Sayıcı, Filiz Simsek Orhon, Seda Topçu, Betul Ulukol & Sevgi Baskan

Authors
  1. Ilker Ufuk Sayıcı
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  2. Filiz Simsek Orhon
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  3. Seda Topçu
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  4. Betul Ulukol
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  5. Sevgi Baskan
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Contributions

Dr. Sayıcı prepared the application report for funding source, designed the data collection instruments, collected data, and performed the statistical analysis.

Prof. Orhon conceptualized and designed the study, designed the data collection instruments, revised the application report for funding source, performed the statistical analysis, interpreted the data, and prepared and edited the manuscript.

Assoc. Prof. Topcu collected data, and interpreted the statistical data.

Prof. Ulukol supervised the data collection process.

Prof. Baskan supervised the data collection process.

All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Filiz Simsek Orhon.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research ethics committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Communicated by Mario Bianchetti

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Sayıcı, I.U., Simsek Orhon, F., Topçu, S. et al. Preliminary study on bisphenol A levels and possible exposure history of mother and exclusively breastfed infant pairs. Eur J Pediatr 178, 541–550 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-019-03329-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-019-03329-4

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