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Association between prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in children:

Xin-Xin Gao1, Qian-Lin Zuo1, Xi-Hang Fu1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.

Environmental Research
|August 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked to adverse child neurodevelopment, including poorer cognition and behavior. More research is needed for conclusive evidence on other neurological outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Inconsistent findings exist regarding prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and child neurodevelopment.
  • Understanding the impact of various PFAS types on offspring is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize evidence on prenatal PFAS exposure and child neurodevelopment.
  • To identify specific neurodevelopmental outcomes affected by PFAS exposure during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases up to March 2023.
  • Included only birth cohort studies reporting specific associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and child neurodevelopment.

Main Results:

  • 31 birth cohort studies were qualitatively integrated.
  • Prenatal PFAS exposure was associated with impaired psychomotor development, externalizing behaviors, and overall development.
  • Limited evidence exists for other neurological outcomes, but sex-specific effects on social behavior and sleep were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal PFAS exposure negatively impacts key areas of child neurodevelopment.
  • Further research is necessary to establish conclusive evidence for a broader range of neurological outcomes.
  • Sex-specific effects warrant attention in future studies on PFAS and neurodevelopment.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth cohortNeurodevelopmentPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesPrenatal exposure

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