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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
DPOAEs in infants developmentally exposed to PCBs show two differently time spaced exposure sensitive windows
Vladimíra Koštiaková1, Arturo Moleti2, Soňa Wimmerová1
1Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Insights
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure during infancy can harm hearing. This study identified critical prenatal and postnatal windows for PCB-induced ototoxicity, revealing effects on hearing sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Perinatal exposure to environmental contaminants like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) poses potential health risks to infants.
- Ototoxicity, or damage to the auditory system, is a concern associated with various environmental exposures.
- Understanding critical exposure windows is crucial for mitigating long-term health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pinpoint sensitive developmental windows for ototoxicity linked to perinatal Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) exposure.
- To investigate the relationship between specific PCB exposure timings and auditory function in children.
- To explore potential sex-specific and frequency-dependent effects of PCB exposure on hearing.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 351 and 214 children from an Eastern Slovak birth cohort, with otoacoustic testing at 45 and 72 months.
- Measurement of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 11 frequencies.
- Analysis of cord and child blood samples for PCB 153 concentration; calculation of PCB exposure using area under the curve (AUC) models.
Main Results:
- Two critical windows for PCB exposure impacting hearing were identified: one encompassing prenatal and early postnatal periods, and another during the postnatal period.
- Significant correlations were found between PCB concentrations and DPOAE amplitudes, indicating PCB-induced ototoxicity.
- Evidence of tonotopic, sexually dimorphic, and asymmetric effects of PCBs on auditory function was observed.
Conclusions:
- Infant hearing is vulnerable to PCB exposure during specific prenatal and postnatal periods.
- PCB exposure can lead to measurable hearing deficits, with varying effects based on sex and auditory frequency.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring and reducing PCB exposure during critical developmental stages to protect children's hearing.
Abstract:
The study aim was to identify the timing of sensitive windows for ototoxicity related to perinatal exposure to PCBs. A total of 351 and 214 children from a birth cohort in eastern Slovakia underwent otoacoustic testing at 45 and 72 months, respectively, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 11 frequencies were recorded. Cord and child 6-, 16-, 45-, and 72- month blood samples were analyzed for PCB 153 concentration. The PCB 153 concentration-time profiles were approximated with a system model to calculate area under the PCB*time curves (AUCs) for specific time intervals (3 and 6 months for 45 and 72 months data, respectively). DPOAE amplitudes were correlated (Spearman) with cord serum PCB and AUCs, markers of prenatal and postnatal exposure, respectively. Two exposure critical windows were identified in infants, the first related to prenatal and early postnatal and the second to postnatal exposure to PCBs. Our data have shown tonotopicity, sexual dimorphism, and asymmetry in ototoxicity of PCBs.
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