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Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances, immune-related outcomes, and lung function in children from a Spanish

Cyntia B Manzano-Salgado1, Berit Granum2, Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa3

  • 1ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
|July 3, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) showed varied effects on child health. Some PFASs like PFNA and PFOS may reduce asthma and eczema risks, while PFOA exposure was linked to reduced lung function in early childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is linked to childhood immune and respiratory issues, but evidence on lung function is inconsistent.
  • The Spanish INMA birth cohort study investigated these associations up to age 7.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between prenatal exposure to specific PFASs and immune/respiratory health, including lung function, in children.
  • To differentiate the effects of various PFAS compounds on developing children's health.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed four PFASs (PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA) in maternal plasma from early pregnancy.
  • Collected data on respiratory infections, wheezing, asthma, and eczema up to age 7.
  • Measured lung function using spirometry at ages 4 and 7.

Main Results:

  • Higher PFNA concentrations were associated with a reduced risk of childhood asthma (RR 0.74).
  • Higher PFOS concentrations were linked to a reduced risk of childhood eczema (RR 0.86).
  • Elevated PFOA exposure correlated with lower lung function (forced vital capacity and FEV1) at age 4, but not at age 7.

Conclusions:

  • Different PFASs appear to impact developing immune and respiratory systems uniquely.
  • Prenatal PFNA and PFOS exposure may lower risks for asthma and eczema, whereas PFOA exposure might impair early lung function.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings at later ages.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth cohortImmune responsePerfluoroalkyl substancesPrenatal exposure delayed effectsRespiratory diseasesSpain

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