Exposure to Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Asthma in Childhood: A Systematic Review
Maria-Melanthia Aeraki1, Dimitra Metallinou1, Athina Diamanti1
1Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shows inconsistent links to childhood asthma. Current epidemiological data do not consistently support a connection, despite mechanistic concerns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Childhood asthma prevalence is rising globally.
- Environmental factors, including poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are suspected to impact prenatal respiratory and immune development.
- PFAS are persistent chemicals found in various consumer products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and assess the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and the development of asthma in children.
- To integrate findings from existing epidemiological studies on this topic.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar.
- Included studies were prospective cohort studies investigating prenatal PFAS exposure and childhood asthma outcomes.
- Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
Main Results:
- Thirteen studies involving over 21,000 mother-child pairs were analyzed.
- Most studies found no significant association between prenatal PFAS exposure and doctor-diagnosed childhood asthma.
- Results were inconsistent, with some specific PFAS showing potential links, but overall findings were mixed or null.
Conclusions:
- Epidemiological evidence does not consistently link prenatal PFAS exposure to childhood asthma development.
- Mechanistic data suggest potential pathways, but robust human data are lacking.
- Further research with standardized measurements and larger cohorts is required to clarify the relationship.
Abstract:
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that has been increasing in prevalence among children globally. While genetic factors contribute to asthma risk, there are growing concerns about environmental exposures, such as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may disrupt respiratory and immune development in the prenatal period. This systematic review aimed to assess the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and the development of asthma in childhood, integrating findings from epidemiological studies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar using predefined keywords. The review included prospective cohort studies examining prenatal PFAS exposure and asthma outcomes in children. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). A total of 13 studies were included in the final analysis. The studies involved diverse countries/populations with over 21,000 mother-child pairs. Although some studies reported associations between specific PFAS compounds and asthma, most found no significant relationship between prenatal PFAS exposure and doctor-diagnosed asthma. The findings were inconsistent, with null or mixed results across studies. Despite mechanistic evidence suggesting that PFAS could contribute to asthma development, epidemiological data do not consistently support a link between prenatal exposure and childhood asthma. Further research with standardized exposure measurements and larger cohort studies is needed to clarify these associations.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:36Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....