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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Prenatal PCB exposure and neonatal behavioral assessment scale (NBAS) performance.
P Stewart1, J Reihman, E Lonky
1Center for Neurobehavioral Effects of Environmental Toxics, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Oswego, 13126, USA. pstewar1@oswego.edu
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
|January 21, 2000
Summary
Prenatal exposure to highly chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from consuming contaminated fish is linked to impaired neonatal behavior, specifically in habituation and autonomic functions, as measured by the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurotoxicology
- Pediatric Environmental Health
Background:
- Consumption of contaminated fish from Lake Ontario leads to prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
- Highly chlorinated PCBs are more persistent and may represent a significant exposure index in neonates.
- Previous research indicated fish eaters have a more heavily chlorinated PCB congener distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure via cord blood and Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) performance.
- To investigate if highly chlorinated PCBs correlate with specific NBAS cluster impairments in newborns.
- To assess the impact of various environmental contaminants on neonatal neurobehavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Cord blood samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDE, HCB, Mirex, lead, and mercury levels.
- Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) performance was assessed in infants born to mothers with varying levels of Lake Ontario fish consumption.
- Statistical analyses identified linear relationships between contaminant levels and NBAS cluster performance.
Main Results:
- Higher levels of heavily chlorinated PCBs were significantly associated with impaired performance on the Habituation and Autonomic clusters of the NBAS.
- Increased prenatal PCB exposure correlated with a greater proportion of NBAS scales showing poor performance in highly exposed neonates.
- Lighter chlorinated PCBs, DDE, Mirex, HCB, lead, and mercury showed no significant relationship with NBAS performance.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to highly chlorinated PCBs, linked to contaminated fish consumption, negatively impacts neonatal neurobehavioral development.
- The degree of chlorination and persistence of PCBs are critical factors in assessing exposure and neurobehavioral effects.
- Findings support the link between Lake Ontario fish consumption, specific PCB congeners, and adverse neonatal behavioral outcomes.
