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Polyunsaturated fatty acids and child neurodevelopment among a population exposed to DDT: a cohort study

Ángel Mérida-Ortega1, Stephen J Rothenberg1, Luisa Torres-Sánchez1

  • 1Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Col. Sta. María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca Morelos, CP, Mexico.

Environmental Health : a Global Access Science Source
|March 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal intake of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), during pregnancy benefits child neurodevelopment, even with environmental exposure to DDT. This highlights the importance of PUFAs for prenatal development.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Child neurodevelopment is linked to maternal polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake.
  • The impact of PUFAs on neurodevelopment in environments with neurotoxicant exposure is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal PUFA intake during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment.
  • To assess this relationship in mothers environmentally exposed to 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 276 mother-child pairs in Mexico.
  • Neurodevelopment assessed using Bayley Scales II (ages 1-30 months).
  • Maternal PUFA intake estimated via Food Frequency Questionnaire; DDE serum levels measured.

Main Results:

  • Maternal docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) intake in the first trimester was positively associated with children's Mental Development Index (MDI).
  • Results suggest alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may also relate to MDI.
  • Associations were observed in a population exposed to DDT.

Conclusions:

  • Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) may support child neurodevelopment despite DDT exposure.
  • Prenatal PUFA intake is crucial for optimal child neurodevelopment.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child neurodevelopmentDDTPolyunsaturated fatty acids

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