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Published on: August 25, 2014
Prenatal TVOCs exposure negatively influences postnatal neurobehavioral development
Moonhee Chang1, Dongheon Lee2, Hyesook Park1
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, South Korea.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) may harm infant neurobehavioral development. Higher TVOC levels were linked to lower psychomotor and mental development scores in children up to 36 months old.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a potential risk factor for adverse fetal development and infant health.
- Understanding the impact of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) on postnatal neurobehavioral outcomes is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal TVOC exposure and neurobehavioral development in infants.
- To analyze the relationship between maternal TVOC levels during pregnancy and child development milestones.
Main Methods:
- A subsample of 383 pregnant women from the Mother and Children's Environmental Health Study (MOCEH) in South Korea was analyzed.
- Maternal personal TVOC exposure was measured using passive samplers during pregnancy.
- Infant neurobehavioral development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (BSID-II) at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months.
Main Results:
- Mean prenatal TVOC exposure was 284.2 μg/m³.
- Infants in the high TVOC exposure group (Q3: 374.0 μg/m³) showed an average 3-point lower score in psychomotor and mental development indices compared to the low exposure group.
- Longitudinal analyses indicated an adverse effect of higher prenatal TVOC exposure on neurobehavioral development.
Conclusions:
- Higher prenatal exposure to total volatile organic compounds may negatively impact early-life neurobehavioral development.
- These findings highlight the importance of reducing maternal exposure to VOCs during pregnancy.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate specific VOCs and their developmental effects.
Abstract:
Prenatal exposure to volatile organic compounds may restrict fetal development and adversely influence infants' life. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between prenatal exposure to total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and postnatal neurobehavioral development. A subsample of 383 pregnant participants was chosen from the prospective birth cohort study of Mother and Children's Environmental Health Study; MOCEH (N=1,751) from three regions of the Republic of Korea (Seoul, Cheon-an, and Ulsan). Participants were enrolled during their first trimester with informed consent. We investigated maternal characteristics including socio-economic and obstetrical history using questionnaires. An environmental hygienist measured participating mothers' personal TVOC exposure using passive samplers during pregnancy. Participants visited the research center at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. At each visit, questionnaires about infantile environment and health conditions were answered and a neurobehavioral test (BSID-II) was conducted by certified investigators. We conducted multiple general linear and mixed model analyses to investigate the relationship between TVOC and infantile neurobehavioral development (SAS 9.3). Mean prenatal TVOC exposure was 284.2μg/m3. In longitudinal analyses on infantile neurobehavioral development, adjusted mean psychomotor development index and mental developmental index scores in high TVOC exposure group (cut off at Q3: 374.0 ug/m3) were 3 points lower than the low exposure group. Results suggested exposure to higher TVOC during the fetal period may adversely influence neurobehavioral development in the early life stage.
