Exposure to bisphenol A and behavior in school-age children

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been shown to affect human brain neurodevelopment and behavior.

We aimed to investigate whether environmental exposure to BPA in children was associated with their childhood behavior.

Urinary BPA concentrations and behavioral characteristics were assessed in 300 children belonging to the INMA "Environment and Childhood" Granada birth cohort in their follow-up at 9-11 years of age. BPA concentrations were quantified in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), and child behavior reported by parents using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6-18) under supervision of a psychologist. The association between BPA concentrations and CBCL standardized scores was analyzed using linear regression models, adjusted for important covariates.

Median (P25, P75) BPA concentration was 4.76 (2.77, 9.03)μg/L. Mean (±SD) CBCL externalizing and internalizing scores were 56.35 (±8.06) and 51.36 (±9.22), respectively. In multivariate regression analyses, adjusted for maternal and child characteristics, higher BPA concentrations were associated with worse behavioral scores on all scales. Children with BPA concentrations in the 4th quartile had more somatic complaints (β=2.35; 95% CI: 0.25, 4.46) and social (β=1.71; 95% CI: 0.19, 3.22) and thought problems (β=2.58; 95% CI: 0.66, 4.51) in comparison to those in the 1st quartile. Children with values in the 3rd quartile of BPA concentrations also showed greater social problems (β=1.94; 95% CI: 0.43, 3.45).

Our results suggest that exposure to BPA in childhood may affect children's behavior. Although further investigations are required, preventive measures should be undertaken to reduce inadvertent exposure to BPA.