Breast-feeding Protects against Arsenic Exposure in Bangladeshi Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Fängström Britta, Moore Sophie, Nermell Barbro, Kuenstl Linda, Goessler Walter, Grandér Margaretha, Kabir Iqbal, Palm Brita, Arifeen Shams El, Vahter Marie
Primary Institution: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
Does exclusive breast-feeding reduce arsenic exposure in infants living in areas with high arsenic levels in drinking water?
Conclusion
Exclusive breast-feeding significantly reduces arsenic exposure in infants, even in mothers with high arsenic levels from drinking water.
Supporting Evidence
- Arsenic concentrations in breast milk were low, with a median of 1 μg/kg.
- Infants exclusively breast-fed had significantly lower arsenic levels in urine compared to those partially breast-fed.
- The study found a strong correlation between arsenic levels in breast milk and maternal blood, urine, and saliva.
Takeaway
Breast milk has very little arsenic, so babies who are breast-fed are safer from arsenic, even if their moms drink contaminated water.
Methodology
The study analyzed arsenic metabolites in breast milk and infant urine from 98 infants at 3 months old, comparing them with maternal arsenic exposure.
Potential Biases
Potential contamination of samples and reliance on self-reported breast-feeding practices could introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's maternal samples were collected at different times than infant urine samples, which may affect the accuracy of maternal exposure assessment.
Participant Demographics
Infants were 3 months old, with a mean body weight of 5.6 kg; 47% were girls and 52% were boys.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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