About this Research Topic
It is well established that breastfeeding has many benefits for children, including strengthening their immune system and its positive effects on brain development and cognitive function. Unfortunately, several studies reported the presence of environmental pollutants in human milk. For example, the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk recently gained more research interest. Some of the most common environmental pollutants found in breast milk include pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In addition to these pollutants, the presence of pharmaceuticals in breast milk has emerged as an area of concern, as maternal medication use can result in the transfer of various pharmaceuticals and their metabolites to infants during breastfeeding.
The start of life is one of the most vulnerable periods in life. Identifying how environmental factors relate to early biological effects via molecular markers will provide a better understanding of harmful exposures to newborns. One important route of exposure is via breastfeeding. The main purpose of this Research Topic is to investigate the presence of environmental pollutants and their biological effects in children and adolescents. Besides environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals, studies on environmental particles e.g. air pollution particles and nanoparticles, are also encouraged.
Submission topics include, but are not limited to
• The presence of environmental chemicals, pharmaceuticals or particles in human breast milk;
• The underlying effects of exposure to environmental pollutants through breastfeeding;
• Reviews of the effects of exposure to environmental pollutants through human breast milk;
• Identifying sources and routes of exposure to environmental pollutants in breast milk;
• Cohort studies assessing the long-term health effects of exposure to environmental pollutants in breast milk;
• The concerns regarding the exposure to environmental pollutants and its impact on the health of both the mother and child's well-being;
• Cohort studies to investigate the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children;
• The influence of the type of breastfeeding, exclusively or in combination with formula, on health effects in children;
• The impact of pharmaceutical use during breastfeeding on infant health outcomes and maternal well-being;
• Maternal transfer of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites through breastfeeding: mechanisms, kinetics, and implications for infant health.
Providing fundamental information on the presence and consequences of these pollutants has important implications for public health policies aiming at reducing these harmful exposures, ultimately protecting the health of both infants and adults, and continuing the support for breastfeeding mothers. Human breast milk is the optimal source of nourishment for infants, and not breastfeeding poses a higher risk of adverse health consequences for both mother and child.
The start of life is one of the most vulnerable periods in life. Identifying how environmental factors relate to early biological effects via molecular markers will provide a better understanding of harmful exposures to newborns. One important route of exposure is via breastfeeding. The main purpose of this Research Topic is to investigate the presence of environmental pollutants and their biological effects in children and adolescents. Besides environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals, studies on environmental particles e.g. air pollution particles and nanoparticles, are also encouraged.
Submission topics include, but are not limited to
• The presence of environmental chemicals, pharmaceuticals or particles in human breast milk;
• The underlying effects of exposure to environmental pollutants through breastfeeding;
• Reviews of the effects of exposure to environmental pollutants through human breast milk;
• Identifying sources and routes of exposure to environmental pollutants in breast milk;
• Cohort studies assessing the long-term health effects of exposure to environmental pollutants in breast milk;
• The concerns regarding the exposure to environmental pollutants and its impact on the health of both the mother and child's well-being;
• Cohort studies to investigate the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children;
• The influence of the type of breastfeeding, exclusively or in combination with formula, on health effects in children;
• The impact of pharmaceutical use during breastfeeding on infant health outcomes and maternal well-being;
• Maternal transfer of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites through breastfeeding: mechanisms, kinetics, and implications for infant health.
Providing fundamental information on the presence and consequences of these pollutants has important implications for public health policies aiming at reducing these harmful exposures, ultimately protecting the health of both infants and adults, and continuing the support for breastfeeding mothers. Human breast milk is the optimal source of nourishment for infants, and not breastfeeding poses a higher risk of adverse health consequences for both mother and child.
Keywords: breastfeeding, environmental pollutants, biomarkers, underlying mechanisms
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