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Prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and child growth and adiposity: A longitudinal study

Sarvenaz Shahin1, Akhgar Ghassabian2, Sophia M Blaauwendraad3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.

Environmental Research
|January 5, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is linked to increased childhood growth. This study suggests PAHs may play a role in the developmental programming of children's growth trajectories.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Toxicology

Background:

  • Childhood exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with altered growth and adiposity.
  • The impact of prenatal PAH exposure on early childhood growth and adiposity remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PAHs and early childhood growth and adiposity.
  • To explore the developmental programming effects of PAHs on children's growth.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 880 mother-child pairs from the NYU Children's Health and Environment Study (2016-2019).
  • Maternal urinary PAH metabolites were measured during pregnancy.
  • Child growth parameters (weight, length/height, skinfold thickness) were assessed annually up to age 4.
  • Linear mixed-effects models, adjusted for covariates, were used to analyze associations.

Main Results:

  • Higher prenatal PAH exposure correlated with increased weight and length/height z-scores in children.
  • Associations between PAH exposure and growth measures were stronger at later ages (3 and 4 years).
  • Specific PAH metabolites like 2-NAP, 2-PHEN, 1-PYR, and 4-PHEN showed significant associations with higher weight z-scores.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to PAHs may influence the developmental programming of childhood growth.
  • Findings highlight potential long-term impacts of environmental exposures during critical developmental windows.
Abstract

Keywords:
AdiposityChild healthEndocrine disrupting chemicalsGrowthPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPrenatal exposure

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