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Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and cognitive ability in early childhood

Naomi Azar1, Linda Booij2, Gina Muckle3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Québec, Canada.

Environment International
|January 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is linked to lower IQ scores in boys, but not girls. This suggests PBDEs may negatively impact neurodevelopment differently based on sex.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is a growing concern.
  • Previous studies show mixed results on PBDEs' impact on neurodevelopment and potential sex differences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal PBDE exposure and cognitive abilities in young children.
  • To determine if this association differs between boys and girls.

Main Methods:

  • A Canadian pregnancy cohort (2008-11) with 592 children was analyzed.
  • Maternal plasma PBDE levels were measured, and child cognitive ability (IQ) was assessed at age 3.
  • Multiple linear regression models were used, adjusting for confounders and stratifying by sex.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal PBDE exposure was associated with lower Full Scale IQ scores in boys (e.g., BDE-47: -4.4 points per tenfold increase).
  • No significant associations were found between PBDE exposure and IQ scores in girls.
  • Verbal and Performance IQ scores showed similar trends in boys.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal PBDE exposure, particularly BDE-47, is linked to reduced IQ in boys, not girls.
  • These findings suggest a sex-dependent neurodevelopmental impact of PBDEs.
  • Early developmental exposure to PBDEs may be detrimental to boys' cognitive trajectory.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cognitive abilityNeurodevelopmentPolybrominated diphenyl ethersPregnancy cohort

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