Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Growth in girls exposed in utero and postnatally to polybrominated biphenyls and polychlorinated biphenyls
Heidi Michels Blanck1, Michele Marcus, Carol Rubin
1Biological and Biomedical Sciences Division, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA 30322, USA.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may reduce daughters' weight, but polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) did not impact growth. This study highlights potential endocrine disruptor effects on child development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Michigan food supply contamination in 1973 exposed over 4000 individuals to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs).
- A PBB cohort registry was formed (1976-1979), collecting serum samples to measure PBBs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), known endocrine disruptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PBBs and PCBs and the current height and weight of daughters.
- To assess the long-term effects of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure during pregnancy on offspring growth.
Main Methods:
- Examined 308 daughters (ages 5-24) of women in the PBB cohort.
- Estimated prenatal PBB and PCB exposure using maternal serum levels at enrollment.
- Collected self-reported height and weight data from a 1997-1998 health survey.
Main Results:
- No association found between prenatal PBB exposure and daughters' height or weight.
- Prenatal PCB exposure exceeding 5 parts per billion was linked to reduced weight adjusted for height.
- Breastfeeding exposure did not alter the observed associations.
Conclusions:
- Mothers with higher PCB levels had daughters weighing approximately 11 pounds less.
- Findings suggest prenatal PCB exposure may negatively impact offspring growth.
- Highlights the potential for endocrine disruptors to influence developmental trajectories.
Background:
Accidental contamination with polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) of the Michigan food supply in 1973 led to the exposure of more than 4000 individuals and to formation of the PBB cohort registry (1976-1979). At enrollment, measurements were taken of serum PBB and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), possible endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Methods:
We examined the association of estimated PBB and PCB exposure during pregnancy with current height and weight in 308 daughters, 5-24 years of age (mean age 15.2 years), born to women in the cohort. We estimated prenatal PBB exposure using maternal enrollment serum PBB and a model of PBB elimination. Prenatal PCB exposure was estimated using maternal enrollment serum PCB because background-level exposure through diet was ongoing. Self-reported height and weight were obtained from a 1997-1998 health survey.
Results:
We found no association between prenatal PBB exposure and either daughter's current height or daughter's weight adjusted for height; however, prenatal PCB exposure above 5 parts per billion was associated with reduced weight adjusted for height. Exposure through breastfeeding did not modify the association.
Conclusions:
Mothers with PCB levels above the median had daughters whose current weights were 11 pounds lower than that of the daughters whose mothers had levels below the median. This study provides evidence that prenatal exposure to PCBs may affect growth.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
02:07Oogenesis