Association of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol S with ADHD symptoms in children
Johanna Inhyang Kim1, Young Ah Lee2, Choong Ho Shin2
1Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Bisphenol A (BPA), and its substitutes bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS), are associated with increased attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. Exposure to these chemicals, particularly at higher levels, may impact neurodevelopment and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
- The neurotoxic effects of BPA substitutes, bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), are less understood.
- Investigating the association between BPA, BPF, BPS, and ADHD symptoms in children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between BPA, BPF, and BPS exposure and ADHD symptoms in children.
- To assess these associations at multiple time points during childhood.
- To provide insights into the potential neurodevelopmental impacts of common bisphenol exposures.
Main Methods:
- Measured BPA, BPF, and BPS levels in 619 children at ages 4, 6, and 8.
- Assessed ADHD symptoms using the ADHD Rating Scale IV (ARS).
- Employed Poisson regression, generalized additive models, and piecewise regression to analyze bisphenol-ARS score associations.
Main Results:
- BPA was detected in over 97% of participants; BPF and BPS had lower detection rates.
- Increased BPA levels were associated with higher ARS scores, especially at higher concentrations.
- Exposure to BPF and BPS at or above detection/median levels correlated with elevated ARS scores.
Conclusions:
- All investigated bisphenols, particularly at higher exposure levels, are associated with ADHD symptoms in 6-year-old children.
- These findings highlight potential neurotoxic risks of BPA substitutes.
- Further research is needed to establish causal links and long-term effects.
Background:
Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but the neurotoxic effects of bisphenol substitutes such as bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS) have not been well investigated. We investigated the associations between BPA, BPF, and BPS with ADHD symptoms at multiple time points in children.
Methods:
The levels of BPA (at ages 4, 6, and 8), BPF (at ages 6 and 8), and BPS (at ages 6 and 8) were measured in 619 children. Because of the low detection frequency of BPF and BPS levels, participants were divided into categories (
Results:
BPA was detected in most participants (>97%), whereas BPF and BPS were less frequently detected (age 6: 17.5% for BPF and 42.0% for BPS; age 8: 51.6% for BPF and 73.3% for BPS). Doubling in BPA levels was associated with increased ARS scores by 4.7% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.5, 9.2) at age 6. The association was greater with BPA levels higher than 3.0 μg/g creatinine (24.2% [95% CI: 15.5, 33.6] increase). The BPF ≥ LOD group had 10.8% (95% CI: 1.2, 21.4) higher ARS scores than the BPF < LOD group. The BPS ≥ median group had 11.4% (95% CI: 2.0, 21.7) higher ARS scores than the BPS < LOD group.
Conclusion:
All bisphenols, in particular those at or above the LOD or median levels, were associated with ADHD symptoms at age 6. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine causal inference.
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