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Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and cognition and motor performance in adolescence

Sietske A Berghuis1, Koenraad N J A Van Braeckel1, Pieter J J Sauer1

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Environment International
|September 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like PCBs may affect adolescent neurological development. While some hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) showed benefits, others were linked to lower intelligence and verbal memory deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental health
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), is linked to impaired childhood neurological development.
  • Limited data exists on the long-term effects of POPs on neurological outcomes extending into adolescence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to POPs, specifically hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs), and cognitive and motor development in adolescents aged 13–15.
  • To assess the impact of various POPs, including PCBs, OH-PCBs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), DDE, PCP, and HBCDD, on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational cohort study (Development at Adolescence and Chemical Exposure - DACE study) following Dutch birth cohorts.
  • Maternal serum levels of various POPs measured during pregnancy; cognitive (intelligence, attention, verbal memory) and motor (fine motor, ball skills, balance) functions assessed in adolescents.
  • Statistical analyses included linear and logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders like maternal education, smoking, alcohol use, and breastfeeding.

Main Results:

  • Several OH-PCBs were associated with improved sustained attention and balance in adolescents.
  • Prenatal exposure to PCB-183 and hexabroomcyclododecane (HBCDD) showed associations with lower total and performance intelligence, respectively.
  • Exposure to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs was negatively associated with verbal memory performance.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to background levels of certain POPs can influence neuropsychological outcomes in Dutch adolescents.
  • While some POPs demonstrate associations with specific neurodevelopmental aspects, most compounds did not exhibit clinically significant consequences at adolescence.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdolescentCognitive functionMotor skillsPersistent organic pollutantPrenatal exposure

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