PFAS exposure is associated with an unfavourable metabolic profile in infants six months of age

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are reported to have numerous negative health effects and children are especially vulnerable. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal and infant PFAS burden have any impact on prenatal and postnatal growth, liver and lipid parameters in infants at age six months. Data on diet and growth parameters, as well as blood samples were collected from healthy pregnant women in week 18 and in the women and their infants at six months postpartum. The blood samples were analysed for liver enzymes, blood lipids and PFAS. Maternal perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and fish for dinner ≥ 3 days per week in pregnancy week 18 were associated with reduced birth weight and increased percent weight gain the first six months of life. Infant PFCA concentrations were positively associated with serum alanine aminotransferase and total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations at six months of age. Our data demonstrate that prenatal and postnatal PFAS exposure are associated with an unfavourable metabolic profile at a very young age. This pattern is concerning as it may be linked to early conditioning of later metabolic disease. It is vital to reduce PFAS exposure in women of fertile age in order to prevent development of metabolic disease in the next generation.