Pesticides and child neurodevelopment

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  • 1University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health, Center for Children's Environmental Health Research, Berkeley, California, USA.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|March 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

In-utero exposure to organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides is linked to impaired child neurodevelopment. Prevention is crucial, especially for those in agricultural areas or with common household pesticide use.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Pesticide exposure is a potential environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides are commonly used and can cross the placental barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on the association between in-utero pesticide exposure and child neurobehavioral development.
  • To focus on organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of research on neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants and children following in-utero pesticide exposure.

Main Results:

  • In-utero exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE) is associated with poorer neurodevelopment in infants and children.
  • Organophosphate pesticide exposure in utero may be linked to abnormal neonatal reflexes and negative neurodevelopmental associations in older infants and children.
  • Increased organophosphate exposure in utero was associated with a higher incidence of pervasive developmental disorder in young children.

Conclusions:

  • A link exists between organochlorine and in-utero pesticide exposure and impaired child neurodevelopment.
  • Clinicians should advise parents on preventing pesticide exposure, particularly in high-risk populations.
Abstract

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