Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
3972246
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Low-Level Prenatal Toxin Exposures and Breastfeeding Duration: A Prospective Cohort Study
Author(s)
Rosen-Carole, CB; Auinger, P; Howard, CR; Brownell, EA; Lanphear, BP
Year
2017
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Maternal and Child Health Journal
ISSN:
1092-7875
EISSN:
1573-6628
Volume
21
Issue
12
Page Numbers
2245-2255
Language
English
PMID
28735496
DOI
10.1007/s10995-017-2346-4
Abstract
Introduction Maternal exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with shortened breastfeeding duration, but few studies have examined the effects on breastfeeding outcomes of low level exposures to other toxic chemicals. Moreover, it is unclear if passive smoking is associated with duration of breastfeeding. Our objective was therefore to examine the effect of low-level prenatal exposures to common environmental toxins (tobacco smoke, lead, and phthalates) on breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Methods We conducted an analysis of data from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study. Serum and urine samples were collected at approximately 16 and 26 weeks gestation and at delivery from 373 women; 302 breastfed their infants. Maternal infant feeding interviews were conducted a maximum of eight times through 30 months postpartum. The main predictor variables for this study were gestational exposures to tobacco smoke (measured by serum cotinine), lead, and phthalates. Passive smoke exposure was defined as cotinine levels of 0.015-3.0 μg/mL. Primary outcomes were duration of any and exclusive breastfeeding. Results Serum cotinine concentrations were negatively associated with the duration of any breastfeeding (29.9 weeks unexposed vs. 24.9 weeks with passive exposure, p = 0.04; and 22.4 weeks with active exposure, p = 0.12; p = 0.03 for linear trend), but not duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Prenatal levels of blood lead and urinary phthalate metabolites were not significantly associated with duration of any or exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions Passive exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy was associated with shortened duration of any breastfeeding.
Tags
IRIS
•
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Database Searches
LitSearch Jan 2017 - July 2017
Pubmed
•
Phthalates – Targeted Search for Epidemiological Studies
Source – all searches
Pubmed
Toxnet
Included
Source - August 2017 Update (Private)
Pubmed
Toxnet
Source - August 2018 Update
Pubmed
Toxline
Level 1 Screen - Title & Abstract
Excluded
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity