A Case of Chronic PCB-Intoxication

Abstract

A 36-year-old female, who was diagnosed as chronic polychlroro-biphenyl (PCB) intoxication by the author previously, delivered her first child in 13 years marriage and in two years after finishing fasting treatment for the intoxication. At the delivery, the mother’s new-born infant’s blood, umbilical bloods, a part of the mother’s omentum, placenta, and umbilicus-tissues, and amunion fluid were obtained and subjected to quantitative examination for PCB, repectively. The mother’s milk was also examined for concentration of PCB, The following results were observed; 1) PCB was transferred from the mother to her embryo. The contration of PCB in umbilical blood, amunion fluid and infant’s blood were 1/4, 1/6 and 1/42, respectively, in comparison with that of the mother’s blood, whereas those in the placenta and umbilicus were 1/230 and 1/1200 in comparison with that of the mother’s omentum. 2) Since PCB in the mother’s milk is of a higher concentration (�-10) than that in her blood, the milk should be discarded. 3) From the findings of an experimental PCB-intoxication and of my case’s course, it appears that the intoxication has some influence on sexual glands. © 1977, Western Division of Japanese Dermatological Association. All rights reserved.