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Prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and child size at 24 months of age

Leila W Jackson1, Courtney D Lynch, Paul J Kostyniak

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, WG37, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945, United States. leila.jackson@case.edu

Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
|October 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure may impact child growth. This study found PCB-77 in breast milk was linked to shorter length in 24-month-old children, but prenatal and postnatal PCB levels showed no significant effects.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with potential adverse effects on child development.
  • Previous research suggests a link between PCB exposure and decreased child growth, but critical exposure windows remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure at different windows and child size at 24 months of age.
  • To examine PCB congener-specific effects and potential sex-based modifications on child anthropometric measures.

Main Methods:

  • The study analyzed serum samples from first-trimester mothers, breast milk, and child serum at 24 months in 44 mother-infant pairs.
  • Anthropometric measures (e.g., length, weight) were assessed, and age- and gender-specific z-scores were calculated.
  • Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between PCB concentrations (dichotomized at the median) and child size z-scores.

Main Results:

  • No significant associations were found between prenatal or postnatal serum PCB concentrations and child size z-scores.
  • Exposure to PCB-77 in breast milk was significantly associated with a decreased z-score for child length at 24 months.
  • This study quantified a larger number of PCB congeners than previous research.

Conclusions:

  • Breast milk PCB-77 exposure may represent a critical window for reduced linear growth in children.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate specific PCB congener effects, critical exposure periods, and the role of sex in modifying these associations.

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