Prenatal Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Childhood Allergic Diseases: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study
Xiaoyu Tang1, Qian Chen2, Quanhua Liu1
1Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is linked to higher risks of childhood allergic diseases. This risk is particularly elevated in female children and those with the IL-13 rs20541 GG genotype.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Allergy
- Toxicology
Background:
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with known immune-suppressing effects.
- Growing evidence suggests a potential link between prenatal chemical exposures and adverse child health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the development of allergic diseases in early childhood.
- To explore potential effect modification by child sex and the IL-13 rs20541 polymorphism.
Main Methods:
- A prospective birth cohort study included 648 pregnant women.
- Prenatal PFOA levels were measured in umbilical cord blood.
- Children were monitored for allergic diseases up to 24 months of age.
- Multivariate logistic regression and stratified analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- Higher quartiles of prenatal PFOA exposure were significantly associated with increased odds of atopic dermatitis, wheezing, and overall allergic diseases.
- The association was more pronounced in female children.
- A synergistic effect was observed between high PFOA exposure and the IL-13 rs20541 GG genotype, significantly increasing the risk of allergic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal PFOA exposure is a risk factor for allergic diseases in early childhood.
- Female sex and the IL-13 rs20541 GG genotype are identified as important effect modifiers.
- These findings highlight the need to reduce PFOA exposure during pregnancy to protect children's immune development.
Background:
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is widely used in daily life; however, research has shown its immune suppression effects. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PFOA and allergic diseases in children.
Methods:
A prospective birth cohort study involving 648 pregnant women was conducted. Prenatal information was collected through interviews with the women and from medical records. Umbilical cord blood was collected at birth, and concentration of PFOA was measured and genotype of IL-13 rs20541 was detected. Children were followed at 6, 12 and 24 months and information on the development of allergic diseases was recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between PFOA and allergic diseases. Stratified analysis was performed based on child sex and genotype of IL-13 rs20541.
Results:
In multivariate adjusted models, the highest PFOA quartile was associated with increased odds of atopic dermatitis (AD) (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.09-2.55), wheezing (OR: 4.06, 95% CI: 1.30-12.68), and allergic diseases (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.15-2.54). Among females, the highest PFOA quartile was associated with higher odds of AD (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.20-4.23) and allergic diseases (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.07-3.46). Although IL-13 rs20541 alone was not associated with allergic outcomes, children with the GG genotype of IL-13 rs20541 and the highest PFOA quartile have higher odds of AD (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.41-5.67), wheezing (OR: 15.16, 95% CI: 1.38-166.59), and allergic diseases (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.27-4.61).
Conclusions:
Prenatal exposure to PFOA is associated with an increased risk of allergic diseases in early childhood, especially for the female children and those with the GG genotype of IL-13 rs20541.
