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Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cognitive dysfunction in children
Wiesław A Jedrychowski1, Frederica P Perera, David Camann
1Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7, Kopernika Street, Krakow, Poland, myjedryc@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|September 26, 2014
Summary
Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is linked to lower verbal IQ in children. This study found increased risk of depressed verbal IQ with higher PAH-DNA adducts and environmental tobacco smoke exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Toxicology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pervasive environmental pollutants from fossil fuel combustion.
- PAH exposure during gestation is associated with adverse fetal growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including impacts on children's verbal IQ.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the long-term effects of prenatal air pollution exposure on child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cognitive function in children at age 7.
- To investigate the impact of prenatal PAH exposure, measured by cord blood PAH-DNA adducts, on the verbal IQ index (DepVIQ).
- To examine the influence of postnatal PAH exposure and breastfeeding practices on cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study in Krakow, Poland, involving 170 children whose mothers enrolled during pregnancy.
- Prenatal PAH exposure was quantified using PAH-DNA adducts in cord blood.
- Cognitive function was assessed at age 7 using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), with a focus on the depressed verbal IQ index (DepVIQ).
- Multivariable regression models were used to adjust for confounders like gender, maternal education, and environmental tobacco smoke.
Main Results:
- Children with detectable cord blood PAH-DNA adducts exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of depressed verbal IQ (13.7%) compared to those with undetectable adducts (4.4%).
- Prenatal PAH exposure, indicated by ln-unit increase in cord blood adducts, was associated with a threefold increased risk of DepVIQ (RR=3.0, 95% CI 1.3-6.8).
- Postnatal PAH exposure also increased the risk of DepVIQ (RR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5), while long-term exclusive breastfeeding demonstrated a protective effect (RR=0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal and postnatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) negatively impacts fetal brain development and cognitive function extending into childhood.
- These findings highlight the neurotoxic effects of PAHs and have significant implications for children's academic success.
- Promoting breastfeeding and reducing environmental PAH exposure are potential strategies to mitigate adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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