Prenatal and postnatal transfer of perfluoroalkyl substances from mothers to their offspring

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are anthropogenic substances of increasing concerns. Their widespread uses and strong persistence in the environment have led to inevitable exposure for humans. They accumulate in mothers and then are transferred to infants through placenta and breastfeeding, causing diverse potential health risks. Based on more than 100 articles published from 2000 to date, this review summarizes current knowledge on prenatal and postnatal transfer of PFASs from mothers to fetuses/infants. Transplacental transfer efficiencies (RCM) differ among individual PFASs, depending on the alkyl chain length, the function groups, and the branching position in the molecule, and showing enantioselectivity for chiral 1 m-PFOS. Transfer efficiency from serum to breast milk (TEBS/MS) is lower than RCM, but PFAS exposure of infants through breastfeeding in the first month was assessed to be greater than that through transplacental transfer during the entire gestation period. Based on the latest promulgated reference doses, infants would face potential health risks. To our knowledge, this is the first review on the prenatal and postnatal mother-to-offspring transfer of PFASs at congeneric, isomeric, and enantiomeric levels. It provides a better understanding of the critical environmental health issue of PFASs in fetuses and infants, which deserves greater attention throughout society.