Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in human milk: effects on growth, morbidity, and duration of lactation
The authors followed 858 children from birth to one year of age to determine whether the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) in breast milk affected their growth or health. Neither chemical showed an adverse effect on weight or frequency of physician visits for various illnesses, although differences were seen between breast-fed and bottle-fed children, with bottle-fed children being heavier and having more frequent gastroenteritis and otitis media. Children of mothers with higher levels of DDE were breast-fed for markedly shorter times, but adjustments for possible confounders and biases did not change the findings. In absence of any apparent effect on the health of the children, they speculate that DDE may be interfering with the mother's ability to lactate, possibly because of its estrogenic properties.
- Research Organization:
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
- OSTI ID:
- 6062293
- Journal Information:
- Am. J. Public Health; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Public Health; (United States) Vol. 77:10; ISSN AJHEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Determinants of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sera of mothers and children from Michigan farms with PCB-contaminated silos
Serum PCB and DDE levels of frequent Great Lakes sport fish consumers -- A first look
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CHILDREN
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DISEASES
FOOD
GLANDS
GROWTH
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHIBITION
LACTATION
MAMMARY GLANDS
MATERIALS
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
MILK
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PESTICIDES