Endocrine disruptors in infant formulas: a hidden risk in early childhood?

Abstract

The dietary exposure to compounds that may interfere with the endocrine system functions has received special attention in the recent years. The endocrine system, together with nervous system, controls the metabolism, puberty, reproduction and behavior, and through a pattern of expression regulated by the development, the endocrine system regulates the cell proliferation and differentiation and organs development; thus, disruptions in this system during the postnatal and breastfeeding result in a greater potential for long-term adverse health effects. Therefore, the assessment of dietary exposure to endocrine disruptors during the first years of life becomes of great concernment to public health. In this context, the main objective of the present research proposal is to evaluate the levels of substances with evidence in vivo and/or in vitro of endocrine disrupting activity in commercial infant formula samples from Brazil, including environmental and processing contaminants, residues of specific pesticides and contaminants from food packaging materials. For this, novel analytical methods inserted in the "green chemistry" context will be developed using miniaturized sample preparation techniques and hyphenated chromatographic techniques (liquid and gas chromatography) coupled to mass spectrometry. Furthermore, intake estimations will be calculated based on the occurrence of the contaminants in infant formula samples and the daily energy needs and child growth standards of the World Health Organization. (AU)