M. Huisman et al., PERINATAL EXPOSURE TO POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS AND DIOXINS AND ITS EFFECT ON NEONATAL NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, Early human development, 41(2), 1995, pp. 111-127
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-
p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs)) are widespread environme
ntal contaminants which are neurotoxic in animals. Perinatal exposure
to PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs occurs prenatally via the placenta and postn
atally via breast milk. To investigate whether such an exposure affect
s the neonatal neurological condition, the neurological optimality of
418 Dutch newborns was evaluated with the Prechtl neurological examina
tion. Half of the infants were breast-fed, the other half were formula
-fed, representing a relatively high against a relatively low postnata
lly exposed group, respectively. As an index of prenatal exposure, fou
r non-planar PCBs in cord and maternal plasma were used. These PCB lev
els were not related to neurological function. As measures of combined
pre- and early neonatal exposure, 17 dioxin congeners, three planar,
and 23 non-planar PCB congeners were determined in human milk in the s
econd week after delivery. Higher levels of PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs in
breast milk were related to reduced neonatal neurological optimality.
Higher levels of planar PCBs in breast milk were associated with a hig
her incidence of hypotonia. This study confirms previous reports about
the neurotoxic effects of these compounds on the developing brain of
newborn infants.