Staveren, W.A. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/5877/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png RePub, Erasmus University Rotterdam http://repub.eur.nl Plasma polychlorinated biphenyl levels in Dutch preschool children either breast-fed or formula-fed during infancy (Article) http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/8728/ 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of lactational and in utero exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on plasma PCB levels in children. METHODS: Plasma PCB levels were measured in 173 children at 3.5 years, of whom 91 were breast-fed and 82 were formula-fed in infancy. RESULTS: Median plasma PCB levels were 3.6 times higher in breast-fed children (0.75 microgram/L) than in their formula-fed peers (0.21 microgram/L). Breast-feeding period and breast-milk PCB levels were important predictors for PCB levels in the breast-fed group. For children in the formula-fed group, PCB levels were significantly related to their material plasma PCB levels. CONCLUSIONS: PCB levels in Dutch preschool children are related to transfer of maternal PCBs; therefore, strategies should be aimed at reducing maternal PCB body burden.