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Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Development in Children at 6 Years

Zhenzhen Xie1, Hong Liang2, Maohua Miao2

  • 1NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|May 22, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may increase children's attention problems. Maternal nut intake during pregnancy might modify these effects, though findings require further research due to sample size limitations.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neurodevelopmental Toxicology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Epidemiological data on prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and child neurodevelopment remain inconclusive.
  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent environmental contaminants with potential health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
  • To explore potential effect modifications by maternal diet and child's sex.

Main Methods:

  • Maternal plasma samples (n=449) collected during 12-16 weeks of gestation were analyzed for 11 PFASs.
  • Children's neurodevelopment was assessed at age 6 using the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Child Behavior Checklist.
  • Statistical analyses evaluated associations and effect modifications.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to multiple PFASs was linked to higher attention problem scores.
  • Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) showed a statistically significant association with attention problems.
  • No significant associations were found between PFAS exposure and cognitive development.
  • Maternal nut intake and child's sex modified the effects of PFAS exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal PFAS exposure may be associated with increased attention problems in children.
  • Maternal nut consumption during pregnancy could potentially alter PFAS effects.
  • Findings are exploratory due to multiple testing and a relatively small sample size, warranting further investigation.

Keywords:
cohort studymixtureneurodevelopmentperfluoroalkyl substancesprenatal exposure

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