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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Childhood exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and neurodevelopment at six years of age
Cécile Chevrier1, Charline Warembourg1, Gaïd Le Maner-Idrissi2
1U1085 Irset Research Institute of Health Environment and Work, Inserm, Rennes, France; University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust was linked to lower verbal comprehension in six-year-old children, especially boys. This study highlights the neurotoxic potential of PBDEs, including BDE209, in indoor environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Developmental Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are common indoor pollutants.
- Understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal PBDE exposure is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal and childhood PBDE exposure and neurodevelopment at age six.
- To assess the impact of specific PBDE congeners (BDE99, BDE209) on cognitive functions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PBDEs in cord blood and household dust from 246 mother-child pairs in the PELAGIE cohort.
- Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV at age six.
Main Results:
- Higher dust concentrations of BDE99 and BDE209 were associated with lower verbal comprehension scores in children, particularly boys.
- A trend towards lower working memory scores was observed with increased BDE99 dust levels.
- No significant association was found between cord blood BDE209 levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early-life exposure to PBDEs, particularly via dust, may adversely affect cognitive development in children.
- Findings support previous research on penta-BDEs and suggest potential neurotoxicity of BDE209.
- Despite bans, PBDEs persist in the environment, necessitating continued monitoring and mitigation efforts.
Abstract:
Mixtures of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are present in indoor environments. Studies of the developmental effects of exposure to these chemicals in large prospective mother-child cohorts are required, with data on prenatal exposure and long-term follow-up of the children. We aimed to investigate the relationship between prenatal and childhood exposure to PBDEs and neurodevelopment at the age of six years. We determined the levels of PBDEs and other neurotoxicants in cord blood and dust collected from the homes of children for 246 families included in the PELAGIE mother-child cohort in France. We assessed two cognitive domains of the six-year-old children using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV. Verbal comprehension scores were lower in children from homes with higher concentrations of BDE99 (βDetects
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