Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, furans, and biphenyls (PCDDs/PCDFs and PCBs) in breast milk and early childhood growth and IGF1

Abstract

Experimental studies have shown that dioxin-like chemicals may interfere with aspects of the endocrine system including growth. However, human background population studies are, however, scarce. We aimed to investigate whether early exposure of healthy infants to dioxin-like chemicals was associated with changes in early childhood growth and serum IGF1. In 418 maternal breast milk samples of Danish children (born 1997-2001) from a longitudinal cohort, we measured polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (pg or ng/g lipid) and calculated total toxic equivalent (total TEQ). SDS and SDS changes over time (DSDS) were calculated for height, weight, BMI, and skinfold fat percentage at 0, 3, 18, and 36 months of age. Serum IGF1 was measured at 3 months. We adjusted for confounders using multivariate regression analysis. Estimates (in parentheses) correspond to a fivefold increase in total TEQ. TEQ levels in breast milk increased significantly with maternal age and fish consumption and decreased with maternal birth year, parity, and smoking. Total TEQ was associated with lower fat percentage (K0.45 S.D., CI: K0.89; K0.04), non-significantly with lower weight and length at 0 months, accelerated early height growth (increased DSDS) (DSDS 0-18 months: C0.77 S.D., CI: 0.34; 1.19) and early weight increase (DSDS 0-18: C0.52 S.D., CI: 0.03; 1.00), and increased IGF1 serum levels at 3 months (C13.9 ng/ml, CI: 2.3; 25.5). Environmental exposure to dioxin-like chemicals was associated with being skinny at birth and with higher infant levels of circulating IGF1 as well as accelerated early childhood growth (rapid catch-up growth).

Association of placenta organotin concentrations with growth and ponderal index in 110 newborn boys from Finland during the first 18 months of life: a cohort study

“…rapid catch up growth. We speculated that the catch up growth associated with dioxin-like chemicals may partly be explained by a compensatory biological mechanism following Ah-driven intrauterine growth restriction [48]. However, adjustment for total TEQ did not change the results of regression analysis in our study and also the Spearman rank correlation between placenta TBT and total TEQ was weak.…”

Cumulative Chemical Exposures During Pregnancy and Early Development

“…Maternal OC levels are closely associated with recent exposure to pesticides; women who live in Latin America and other regions that use OCs for pest control or agriculture have comparatively higher OC levels [104, 118, 119]. OC exposure may be associated with adverse psychomotor and attention development, immune suppression, and endocrine disruption, among other effects [12, 69, 96, 120]. …”

Using stable isotope techniques in nutrition assessments and tracking of global targets post-2015

“…Interventions to address this phenomenon focus mainly on infant and young child feeding practices, water, hygiene and sanitation and to a lesser extent, physical activity. One missing link is the role of persistent organic pollutants, which have been strongly associated with endocrine disruption (57) that may result in abnormal growth patterns and increased risk for obesity (58)(59)(60) . Other effects are low birth weight, motor and visual defects and delayed cognitive development (61) .…”