New research published in the Journal of International Scientific Publication revealed that a mother’s diet may greatly affect the quality of breast milk and pose a threat to her baby. The scientists noted that the study, which was the first of its kind to measure pesticide exposure and its subsequent effects of toxic chemicals on both the mother and the infant, highlights the importance of adequate knowledge of pollutants and its ill effects on a person’s health.

• The researchers examined breast milk samples from 169 nursing mothers from urban and rural locations of northwestern Transylvania as part of the study.
• The scientists used the headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique to detect the presence of organochlorine pesticides and both mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in breast milk samples.
• The experts also used the Ni electron capture detection technique to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides in the samples.
• The research team obtained data on the participants’ dietary habits as well.
• The findings revealed that mothers living in rural areas had a much loaded diet coming from meat, dairy products, and egg compared with those in the urban area.
• As a result, the breast milk quality in rural mothers contained more fats than urban mothers.
• However, the research team found that the quantitative abundance of organochlorine contaminants in breast milk samples was 80 percent in rural mothers, compared with a measly 20 percent in urban mothers.
• The results also showed that the quantitative abundance in mono and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was  67 percent in rural mothers and only 33 percent in urban mothers.

Overall, the study revealed that both dietary patterns and environmental exposure may significantly impact a mother’s breast milk quality.

Journal reference: 

Kovacs Melinda Haydee, Kovacs Emoke Dalma, Ristoiu Dumitru. MOTHER DIET IMPACT ON BREAST MILK QUALITY: ESTIMATION OF BREAST FED
INFANTS INTAKE. Journal of International Scientific Publications, 2016; 4, DOI: https://www.scientific-publications.net/get/1000020/1465221369398744.pdf