Associations of maternal PFAS exposure with offspring growth trajectories from birth to age 2 years
Lan Yang1, Lixia Bai2, Xiurui Wang3
1Department of Health Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
Insights
Maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked to altered offspring growth trajectories. Specific PFAS, like PFTrDA, were associated with changes in weight-for-age and length-for-age Z-scores in infants up to 24 months old.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widespread.
- The impact of prenatal PFAS exposure on early childhood physical development remains unclear.
- Existing evidence on PFAS and offspring growth is inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal PFAS exposure and offspring growth trajectories from birth to 24 months.
- To identify specific PFAS congeners linked to altered infant growth patterns.
- To explore the combined effects of PFAS mixtures on child development.
Main Methods:
- Study included 937 mother-infant pairs from the Jiashan Birth Cohort.
- Quantified 13 PFAS congeners in maternal blood during early pregnancy.
- Analyzed offspring weight and length data, calculating Z-scores (WAZ, LAZ, WLZ).
- Applied Group-Based Trajectory Modeling (GBTM) and Bayesian kernel machine regression.
Main Results:
- Maternal PFTrDA exposure was linked to increased likelihood of "rising" weight-for-age Z-score trajectories.
- PFHxS and PFNA associated with "Low-start rapid-rise" length-for-age trajectories; PFTrDA with "High-start rapid-rise" LAZ.
- Most PFAS linked to elevated likelihood of "Medium-start rapid-rise" weight-for-length Z-score trajectories.
- PFAS mixtures showed joint effects on WAZ/WLZ trajectories, with PFTrDA being a key driver.
Conclusions:
- Maternal PFAS exposure is associated with altered offspring growth trajectories in early life.
- Specific PFAS congeners may influence different aspects of infant physical development.
- Findings highlight the potential impact of environmental contaminants on child growth patterns.
Abstract:
Evidence regarding maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure on offspring physical development is inconsistent. This study included 937 mother-infant pairs from the Jiashan Birth Cohort. Thirteen PFAS congeners were quantified in maternal peripheral blood at the first prenatal visit (< 16 weeks of gestation). Data on offspring weight and length from birth to 24 months of age were extracted, and Z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ) were calculated. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was applied to fit growth trajectories. Maternal PFTrDA exposure was associated with higher likelihood of offspring in WAZ "rising" groups, specifically the "Low-start rapid-rise" (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.71), "High-start slow-rise" (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.56), and "High-start rapid-rise" (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.96) groups. PFHxS and PFNA were linked to the LAZ-"Low-start rapid-rise" group (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.05; OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.51, respectively), while PFTrDA was associated with the LAZ-"High-start rapid-rise" group (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.51). Most PFAS were associated with elevated likelihood of offspring in the WLZ-"Medium-start rapid-rise" group (ORs: 1.26-1.43). Bayesian kernel machine regression further confirmed the joint effects of the PFAS mixture on rising WAZ/WLZ trajectories and PFTrDA as the key chemical driving the association with the WAZ-"High-start rapid-rise" group. These findings provide evidence for associations between maternal PFAS exposure and offspring growth trajectories during early life.
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