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Prenatal exposure to PFAS and the association with neurobehavioral and social development during childhood
Trisha Saha1, M Corinaud J Gbemavo2, Linda Booij3
1Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531 des Prairies Blvd, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, 3175 Chemin Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T 1C5.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) showed mixed associations with children's neurobehavioral and social development. While some associations suggested fewer impairments, others indicated more problem behaviors, particularly in girls, depending on sex and specific PFAS.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ubiquitous exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) raises concerns about potential neurodevelopmental toxicity.
- Existing epidemiological studies present inconsistent findings regarding the impact of gestational PFAS exposure on children's neurobehavioral outcomes.
- The Canadian Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study provides a cohort for investigating these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prenatal exposure to specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral and social problems in children.
- To explore potential sex-specific effects of prenatal PFAS exposure on child neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulphonate (PFHxS) in first-trimester maternal blood.
- Assessed children at 3-4 years using the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2).
- Employed multivariable linear regression and stratified analyses by sex to examine associations between PFAS levels and neurobehavioral/social scores.
Main Results:
- In the combined sample, higher maternal PFOA was associated with lower scores on SRS-2 scales related to social motivation and communication, indicating fewer impairments.
- In boys, PFOA exposure was linked to significantly lower scores on BASC-2 scales for behavioral symptoms, externalizing problems, aggression, and hyperactivity.
- In girls, PFAS exposure was generally associated with more problem behaviors, though most associations were small; PFOA was linked to higher anxiety scores.
Conclusions:
- No strong associations were observed between the studied prenatal PFAS exposures and children's neurobehavioral and social development in this low-exposure population.
- Findings were mixed and dependent on the child's sex, the specific neurodevelopmental outcome assessed, and the particular PFAS compound.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between prenatal PFAS exposure, sex, and neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract:
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ubiquitous and may be associated with neurodevelopmental toxicity. However, epidemiological studies report mixed results on the risks of gestational PFAS exposure for children's neurobehavioral impairment. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and children's neurobehavioral and social problems. We measured plasma concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulphonate (PFHxS) in first-trimester blood from 757 women from the Canadian Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study. Children were assessed at 3-4 years with the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) (n = 756 and 496, respectively). We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between individual and summed log2-transformed PFAS and scores on these assessments. Effect modification by sex was evaluated through interaction terms and stratified analyses. In the sample combining both sexes, a doubling of maternal PFOA was significantly associated with lower T-scores on the following SRS-2 scales: Social Motivation, DSM-Social Communication, and SRS Total score (B ranging from -1.08 to -0.78), suggesting lesser impairments with higher exposure. In sex-stratified analysis, PFOA was related to significantly lower T-scores in boys for these BASC-2 scales: Behavioral Symptoms Index, Externalizing Problems, Aggression, and Hyperactivity (B ranging from -1.32 to -1.03). In girls, however, PFAS were associated with more problem behaviors, but most associations were small and the CIs included the null, with the exception of PFOA being significantly associated with higher T-scores for the BASC-2Anxiety scale (B = 1.84, 95% CI: 0.36, 3.32). In conclusion, we did not observe strong associations between prenatal exposure to the PFAS evaluated and children's neurobehavioral and social development in this population with low exposure levels. The results show mixed findings, depending on children's sex, neurodevelopmental outcome, and specific PFAS.
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