What is a characteristic of lipophilic substances in relation to nursing infants?

Lipophilic substances are compounds that tend to dissolve in fats, oils, and lipids rather than in water. This property significantly impacts how these substances interact with the body and how they are transferred in biological fluids, including breast milk.

Breast milk is rich in fat, which means that lipophilic substances can easily pass into it. When a nursing mother consumes food, medications, or has environmental exposures that contain lipophilic substances, these compounds can accumulate in breast milk. As a result, nursing infants can be exposed to these substances through breastfeeding. This transfer happens because, due to the high fat content, lipophilic substances are more readily incorporated into the milk compared to hydrophilic (water-soluble) substances.

Understanding this characteristic is crucial for healthcare providers and nursing mothers, as it informs decisions regarding medication use, dietary choices, and environmental exposures during breastfeeding, helping to ensure the safety and health of nursing infants.