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The Impact of Prenatal Organophosphate Pesticide Exposures on Thai Infant Neurodevelopment

Pornpimol Kongtip1, Benyachalee Techasaensiri2, Noppanun Nankongnab3

  • 1Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. pornpimol.kon@mahidol.ac.th.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|May 31, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides, measured by maternal urinary metabolites like DEP and DAP, was linked to lower infant motor and cognitive scores. Public health interventions are needed to reduce pesticide exposure during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Pesticide exposure during pregnancy is a growing concern.
  • Understanding the impact of prenatal pesticide exposure on infant neurodevelopment is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate organophosphate pesticide exposure levels in pregnant Thai women.
  • To examine the association between prenatal pesticide exposure and infant neurodevelopment at five months.

Main Methods:

  • Birth cohort study in Thailand.
  • Maternal urinary metabolite analysis (organophosphates: DMP, DEP, DAP) via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at 28 weeks gestation.
  • Infant neurodevelopmental assessment using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III at five months.

Main Results:

  • Higher maternal urinary total DEP and DAP levels were significantly associated with reduced infant motor composite scores.
  • Higher total DEP levels were also significantly associated with reduced infant cognitive composite scores.
  • Prenatal pesticide metabolite concentrations correlated with infant cognitive and motor development outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure is linked to adverse infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Results highlight the need for public health interventions to mitigate pesticide exposure in pregnant women.
  • Reducing agricultural and domestic pesticide use is recommended to protect fetal development.

Keywords:
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Developmentinfant neurodevelopmentorganophosphate metabolitespregnant women

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