Breastfeeding protects against environmental pollution

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/uotb-bpa052215.php

Public Release: 22-May-2015
University of the Basque Country

•••••

The aim is to assess how exposure to environmental pollution during pregnancy affects health and also to examine the role of diet in physical and neurobehavioural development in infancy. Lertxundi's study focusses on the repercussions on motor and mental development during the first years of life caused by exposure to the PM2.5 and NO2 atmospheric pollutants.

Never before has such a recent, significant evaluation been made of the effect of pollution particle matter (PM2.5) on the development of motor capacity and that of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on mental development between the prenatal phase and until the baby is 15 months old. What is more, it has been sustained over time since it was started in 2006. "In the foetal phase the central nervous system is being formed and lacks sufficient detoxification mechanisms to eliminate the toxins that build up," pointed out Aitana Lertxundi.

•••••

One result of the study is that the existence of an inverse relationship has been detected between exposure to pollution particle matter and the motor development of babies. [Ie., the higher the exposure to pollution, the less the motor development of babies.]

•••••

The analysis of the data also shows that neither the PM2.5 particle matter nor the NO2 exert a harmful effect on babies breastfed on mother's milk for at least four months.

•••••