Leaking silicone breast implants

[Guest guest]

Despite a very small study that showed ALL children

had gastrointestinal problems, breast feeding is

recommended!!!!!

Is there any wonder there is a problem?

Rogene

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http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,3wv4,00.html

Leaking silicone breast implants

by Debbi Donovan, IBCLC

Q - I have three children -- two were breastfed. I

have silicone implants and was recently told that they

may be leaking. Both of my breastfed children have

medical problems. Does anyone really know how this may

affect children?

A - This is quite a complex issue The media brought

the concerns over the safety of silicone breast

implants into the forefront of our consciousness.

Though there was a settlement by the manufacturer of

silicone breast implants, I am not aware of any

conclusive evidence that silicone causes auto-immune

(or other) diseases. Let's take a look at some of the

facts.

In 1994, a study, published in the Journal of the

American Medical Association received much publicity.

Breastfed children of women with silicone breast

implants were studies, and abnormal esophageal

motility was found in six out of the eight children

studied. This study is now in question due to small

study size (11 children, 8 of whom were breastfed) and

selection bias (all had gastrointestinal problems.)

It is quite doubtful that nursing with silicone breast

implants would be harmful to your baby. Even if

silicone did leak from your implants, it is highly

unlikely that it would be able to leak through the

pores in your alveoli (milk-producing cells) and into

your milk, due to it's high molecular weight. Also,

it's inability to dissolve in water makes it unlikely

to enter your milk supply.

If it did somehow find its way into your milk, would

it be dangerous to your baby? Actually, the silicone

used in implants is the same form as in Mylicon drops

that have been used for many years to treat gassiness

and colic in babies. Silicone is also used to coat

fruits and vegetables, in the manufacturing of

pacifiers and bottle nipples, and in over-the-counter

medications, such as antacids. Through use of these

foods/products we are already ingesting silicone.

In regard to testing for silicone in the body, there

is no standardized test available. Safe levels of

silicone have not yet been determined, even if

adequate testing were available at this time.

I'm sorry that your children are suffering from

medical problems. I would highly advise working along

with your health care provider to determine the

underlying cause. Don't hesitate to seek a second

opinion if necessary. Best of health to you and your

family!