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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Prenatal exposure to organohalogens, including brominated flame retardants, influences motor, cognitive, and

Elise Roze1, Lisethe Meijer, Attie Bakker

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. e.roze@bkk.umcg.nl

Environmental Health Perspectives
|January 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to organohalogen compounds (OHCs) impacts school-aged children's neurodevelopment. Brominated flame retardants, in particular, were linked to altered motor skills and attention, raising concerns due to widespread use.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neurotoxicology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Organohalogen compounds (OHCs) are recognized for their potential neurotoxic effects on the developing brain.
  • Prenatal exposure to OHCs can disrupt critical developmental processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to various OHCs, including brominated flame retardants, on motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes in school-aged children.
  • To assess the relationship between specific OHCs and neuropsychological functioning in children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 62 children within the Groningen infant COMPARE cohort.
  • Maternal blood samples (35th week of pregnancy) analyzed for OHCs (e.g., BDEs, PCBs, PCP).
  • Umbilical cord blood analyzed for thyroid hormones; children assessed at 5-6 years for motor, cognitive, and behavioral functions.

Main Results:

  • Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) associated with poorer fine motor skills and attention, but better coordination and visual perception.
  • Chlorinated OHCs linked to reduced choreiform dyskinesia.
  • Hydroxylated PCBs correlated with worse fine motor skills but better attention and visual perception.
  • Pentachlorophenol (PCP) associated with poorer coordination, sensory integrity, attention, and visuomotor integration.

Conclusions:

  • Transplacental transfer of polybrominated flame retardants is demonstrably associated with developmental outcomes in school-aged children.
  • Widespread use of BFRs, particularly in the US, warrants significant concern given these findings.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full impact of OHCs on child neurodevelopment.
Abstract

Keywords:
behaviorcognitionhydroxylated polychlorinated biphenylsmotor performanceneurotoxicityorganohalogenspesticidespolybrominated diphenyl etherspolychlorinated biphenylsprenatal exposurethyroid hormones

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