Effects of polychlorinated biphenyl/dioxin exposure and feeding type on infants' mental and psychomotor development.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of in utero and lactational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins on the mental and psychomotor development of infants.

Design: Prenatal PCB exposure was estimated from the levels in maternal plasma during the last month of pregnancy. Postnatal PCB and dioxin exposure of breastfed infants was calculated from levels in human milk samples and the duration of breastfeeding.

Neurological condition in 18-month-old children perinatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins.

The neurological optimality of 418 Dutch children was evaluated at the age of 18 months, in order to determine whether prenatal and breast milk mediated exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins affected neurological development. Half of the infants were breast-fed, the other half were formula-fed. PCB concentrations in cord and maternal plasma were used as a measure of prenatal exposure to PCBs.

Perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins and its effect on neonatal neurological development.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs)) are widespread environmental contaminants which are neurotoxic in animals. Perinatal exposure to PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs occurs prenatally via the placenta and postnatally via breast milk. To investigate whether such an exposure affects the neonatal neurological condition, the neurological optimality of 418 Dutch newborns was evaluated with the Prechtl neurological examination.

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins on growth and development.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins are potentially toxic compounds which occur widely in the environment. Their effects on the growth and development of infants at the levels currently found in highly industrialised western countries is not well known. This Dutch multicenter study, combining animal and human studies, tries to answer this question.

Dioxin and PCB levels in blood and human milk in relation to living areas in The Netherlands.

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous toxic compounds in the environment. Negative influences of these compounds on the health status of human beings have been described. Especially susceptible might be the fetus, which is exposed in utero, and the newborn breast-fed infant, since both are exposed to relatively high levels of dioxins and PCBs during a critical period of organ growth and development.