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Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
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Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development

Published on: April 19, 2024

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Examining the association between gestational phenol exposure and infant non-nutritive suck in two Environmental

Megan L Woodbury1,2,3, Andréa Aguiar3,4, Sarah Dee Geiger3,5

  • 1College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.

Environmental Epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|June 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to phenols, like bisphenol-F and triclosan, can alter infant non-nutritive suck (NNS) patterns. These findings highlight potential neurodevelopmental impacts from environmental exposures during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Non-nutritive suck (NNS) is a sensitive indicator of infant neurofunction.
  • Prenatal environmental exposures can impact fetal development.
  • Phenols are common environmental contaminants with potential health effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gestational phenol exposure and infant NNS patterns.
  • To identify specific phenols that affect NNS characteristics.
  • To explore the effects of phenol mixtures on NNS.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from two prospective cohorts within the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program.
  • Measured 11 phenols and triclocarban in maternal urine during pregnancy.
  • Assessed NNS patterns in infants aged 1-8 weeks using a custom pacifier.

Main Results:

  • Bisphenol-F exposure was linked to lower NNS frequency.
  • Triclosan exposure was associated with higher NNS frequency.
  • Mixture analyses indicated that higher overall phenol concentrations were associated with lower NNS amplitude but more bursts per minute and cycles per burst.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational phenol exposure is associated with altered NNS patterns in neonates.
  • Specific phenols and their mixtures may impact infant neurobehavior.
  • Further research is needed to understand mechanisms and long-term neurodevelopmental consequences.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cohort studiesEnvironmental exposureInfant sucking behavior/physiologyPacifiersParabensPhenols

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