Estimated exposure to bisphenol A in breastfed and breastfed plus formula-fed infants in Turkey: a comparison study

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate and compare dietary exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in exclusively breastfed (EBF) and breastfed plus formula-fed (BF + FF) infants. A total of 70 mothers and their 0–6 month-old infants (40 in the EBF group and 30 in BF + FF group) were included in the study. After the questionnaire form was applied to the mothers, maternal breast milk, infant formula, and infant urine were collected from mother-infant dyads. Total BPA levels in breast milk, infant formula, and infant urine samples were analyzed by the high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). While BPA was detected in 92.5% of the breast milk samples in the EBF group (mean ± SD = 0.59 ± 0.29 ng/mL), BPA was detected in all of the breast milk samples in the BF + FF group (mean ± SD= 0.72 ± 0.37 ng/mL) (p < 0.05). Similarly, 100% of the infant formula samples in the BF + FF group had detectable levels of BPA (mean ± SD = 7.54 ± 1.77 ng/g formula). The mean urinary BPA levels in the EBF infants (4.33 ± 1.89 µg/g creatinine) were not statistically different from the BF + FF infants (5.81 ± 0.11 µg/g creatinine) (p > 0.05). The average daily BPA intake in EBF infants (0.18 ± 0.13 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day) was found to be significantly higher than in BF + FF infants (0.12 ± 0.09 µg/kg bw/day) (p < 0.05). The estimated dietary intakes of BPA for infants in both groups were below the temporary tolerable daily intake (t-TDI) (4 µg/kg bw/day). Consequently, BPA intake of EBF and BF + FF infants were within safe daily limits during the first six months of life.

Keywords:

• Bisphenol A
• urine
• exposure
• exclusive breastfeeding
• formula-fed

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Gazi University Medical Faculty Social Pediatrics Well Child Care Clinics for helping us to take breast milk, infant formula, and infant urine samples. Also, the authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the Hacettepe University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology Laboratory for helping BPA measurement. Finally, we are grateful to all volunteers for participating in this study.

Author contributions

OY, YA, and ADC contributed to the conception or design of the work. OY, ADC, and BCC contributed to the acquisition of data. SBEK, DAC, AY, ABO, SS, and PE performed laboratory analysis. OY, YA, ADC, AY, ABO, SS, and PE contributed to the statistical analysis and interpretation of data for the work. OY prepared the draft of the manuscript. YA, ADC, and PE reviewed and corrected the final manuscript. All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).