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Secondary analysis from the Seychelles Child Development Study: the child behavior checklist
G J Myers1, P W Davidson, D Palumbo
1Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642, USA.
Environmental Research
|September 19, 2000
Summary
Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from fish consumption did not impact school-age behavior in Seychellois children. This study found no adverse associations between prenatal or postnatal MeHg exposure and child behavior checklists (CBCL) subscale scores.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin, with human exposure primarily occurring through fish consumption.
- Previous research indicated no adverse association between MeHg exposure and overall child behavior scores (CBCL Total T score).
- Understanding the impact of MeHg on specific behavioral aspects is crucial, especially in populations with high fish intake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal and postnatal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and specific aspects of school-age behavior.
- To analyze the T scores of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) subscales in relation to MeHg exposure levels.
- To determine if discrete behavioral measures are linked to MeHg exposure in children from the Seychelles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS), a prospective, double-blind, longitudinal study of over 700 children.
- Assessed prenatal MeHg exposure using maternal hair total mercury (T-Hg) during gestation.
- Measured postnatal MeHg exposure via child's hair T-Hg at 66 months and administered the CBCL to primary caregivers.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant associations were found between prenatal MeHg exposure and CBCL subscale scores.
- No statistically significant associations were observed between postnatal MeHg exposure and CBCL subscale scores.
- Analysis of discrete behavioral aspects using CBCL subscales revealed no link to MeHg exposure in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- In Seychellois children with high fish consumption, neither prenatal nor postnatal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure was associated with behavioral outcomes measured by CBCL subscales.
- The findings suggest that MeHg exposure, within the levels experienced by this population, does not adversely affect specific behavioral domains in school-aged children.
- This study contributes to understanding the neurodevelopmental effects of MeHg in populations with significant dietary fish intake.