Child and silicone

Breast milk and placenta

There is evidence that children are affected by their mothers implants, they are exposed either in utero through transplacental passage or after birth through breast-feeding. A study by Schmiterlow and Sjogren (1975) using intravenous radiolabeled polydimethylsiloxane in mice demontrated that the compound or its metabolites pass across the placental barrier. More recent research evaluated several placentas from women with silicone implants and were not able to demonstrate either silicone particles in the tissue or a consistent histologic picture that would suggest an ongoing inflammatory reaction.

Although photomicrographs have demonstrated silicone-like material in milk ducts of breast tissue, no blinded, case-controlled study has shown silicone in breast milk.

Breastfeeding

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM)1998 women who have had any kind of breast surgery, including implant surgery, are three times more likely to have an inadequate supply of milk for breastfeeding. Concerns have been raised about the safety of breastfeeding with implants, and there isn’t enough information about the health of children breastfed by women with implants to answer mothers’ questions or lay the concerns to rest. Concerns about the safety of breast milk have also been raised, but there has not been enough research to resolve this issue.

A study of a small number of women with silicone gel breast implants found that the offspring born and breastfed after the mother had breast implants had higher levels of a toxic form of platinum in their blood than offspring born before the same women had breast implants.>>

Dr. Pierre Blais >>

"To this day, there is no scientific basis to assume safety for the lactating mothers with implants or their offspring.

On the contrary, established thinking based on the physiology of the breast strongly supports an elevated probability of adverse effects. Preliminary studies conducted on small samples of children from implanted mothers note adverse effects and should be a strong deterrent to breast feeding for any individual who either has or who has had a breast prosthesis in her lifetime.

In the light of present knowledge, a firm contra-indication is still justified on breast feeding for individuals with implants in situ.

The contra-indication is as important for the implant user as it is for the infant.

For individuals who have had implants which have been subsequently removed as a result of complications, the recommendation is equally valid. Infective sequelae are frequently followed by long lasting manifestations which may produce large quantities of micro-organisms and there by-products may enter the ductal system to ultimately alter the quality of the milk and possibly affect the infant.

Individuals with implants in general and in particular users with a history of problems or with evidence of hematomas, seromas or nipple discharge should be strongly advised against breast feeding. In many such instances, the risk may be greater to the offspring than to the mother"

Summarized;

• Pathological tissue changes in the breast implants

• Negative effects on quality and quantity of breastfeeding

• Chemicals might end up in breast milk

• Breastfeeding with silicone is not recommended

Pregnancy and breastfeeding >>

The FDA: no implants during pregnancy or nursing >>

MHRA on breastfeeding >>

Dutch organization 'COSS kids'; blood of child reacts on silicone from her mother >>