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Choi JW, Oh J, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Schmidt RJ, Shin HM. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and child behavioral problems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118511. [PMID: 38387490 PMCID: PMC11144101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may adversely affect child behaviors; however, findings of epidemiologic studies are inconsistent. We examined prenatal PFAS exposure in association with child behavioral problems. METHODS Participants were 177 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), a cohort with elevated familial likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum (1-3 samples per mother) collected from the 1st to 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Child behavioral problems were assessed at 3 years of age using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), developed to test for various behavioral problems of children. We examined associations of the CBCL scores with individual PFAS concentrations and with their mixture using negative binomial regression and weighted quantile sum regression models. RESULTS Higher prenatal perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentrations were associated with higher scores of externalizing problems [β = 0.16, 95% CI (0.01, 0.32)] and aggressive behavior [β = 0.17 (0.01, 0.32)]. Higher PFNA, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) were associated with higher scores of sleep problems [β = 0.34 (0.15, 0.54) for PFNA, β = 0.20 (0.02, 0.37) for PFOS, and β = 0.19 (0.00, 0.37) for PFDA]. No significant associations observed for typically developing children, whereas PFOS, PFNA, and PFDA were associated with several behavioral problems among children diagnosed with ASD or other neurodevelopmental concerns. Exposure to a mixture of PFAS was associated with higher scores of sleep problems and aggressive behavior, mostly contributed by PFNA and PFDA. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that prenatal exposure to some PFAS could increase child behavioral problems at 3 years of age. However, our results should be interpreted with caution because we relied on data from a cohort with increased familial likelihood of ASD and thereby had more behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Weon Choi
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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Zhou Y, Zhang L, Li Q, Wang P, Wang H, Shi H, Lu W, Zhang Y. Prenatal PFAS exposure, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and neurobehavioral development in childhood. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133920. [PMID: 38457972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Studies on the role of the gut microbiota in the associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and adverse neurodevelopment are limited. Umbilical cord serum and faeces samples were collected from children, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was conducted. Generalized linear models, linear mixed-effects models, multivariate analysis by linear models and microbiome regression-based kernel association tests were used to evaluate the associations among PFAS exposure, the gut microbiota, and neurobehavioural development. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) exposure was associated with increased scores for conduct problems and externalizing problems, as well as altered gut microbiota alpha and beta diversity. PFHxS concentrations were associated with higher relative abundances of Enterococcus spp. but lower relative abundances of several short-chain fatty acid-producing genera (e.g., Ruminococcus gauvreauii group spp.). PFHxS exposure was also associated with increased oxidative phosphorylation. Alpha and beta diversity were found significantly associated with conduct problems and externalizing problems. Ruminococcus gauvreauii group spp. abundance was positively correlated with prosocial behavior scores. Increased alpha diversity played a mediating role in the associations of PFHxS exposure with conduct problems. Our results suggest that the gut microbiota might play an important role in PFAS neurotoxicity, which may have implications for PFAS control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhou
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Putuo District Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai 200333, China
| | - Pengpeng Wang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huijing Shi
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenwei Lu
- School of Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Zhang B, Wang Z, Zhang J, Dai Y, Ding J, Guo J, Qi X, Wu C, Zhou Z. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, fetal thyroid function, and intelligence quotient at 7 years of age: Findings from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108720. [PMID: 38718676 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) influences neurodevelopment. Thyroid homeostasis disruption is thought to be a possible underlying mechanism. However, current epidemiological evidence remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the effects of prenatal PFAS exposure on the intelligence quotient (IQ) of school-aged children and assess the potential mediating role of fetal thyroid function. METHODS The study included 327 7-year-old children from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS). Cord serum samples were analyzed for 12 PFAS concentrations and 5 thyroid hormone (TH) levels. IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Chinese Revised (WISC-CR). Generalized linear models (GLM) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used to evaluate the individual and combined effects of prenatal PFAS exposure on IQ. Additionally, the impact on fetal thyroid function was examined using a GLM, and a mediation analysis was conducted to explore the potential mediating roles of this function. RESULTS The molar sum concentration of perfluorinated carboxylic acids (ΣPFCA) in cord serum was significantly negatively associated with the performance IQ (PIQ) of 7-year-old children (β = -6.21, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -12.21, -0.21), with more pronounced associations observed among girls (β = -9.57, 95 % CI: -18.33, -0.81) than in boys. Negative, albeit non-significant, cumulative effects were noted when considering PFAS mixture exposure. Prenatal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid was positively associated with the total thyroxine/triiodothyronine ratio. However, no evidence supported the mediating role of thyroid function in the link between PFAS exposure and IQ. CONCLUSIONS Increased prenatal exposure to PFASs negatively affected the IQ of school-aged children, whereas fetal thyroid function did not serve as a mediator in this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Zhang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yiming Dai
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiayun Ding
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- School of Public Health/MOE Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Xie LN, Wang XC, Su LQ, Ji SS, Gu W, Barrett H, Dong XJ, Zhu HJ, Hou SS, Li ZH, Liu YL, Zhang L, Zhu Y. The association between per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances in serum and thyroid function parameters: A cross-sectional study on teenagers living near a Chinese fluorochemical industrial plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170985. [PMID: 38367719 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in a wide range of crucial biological functions related to growth and development, and thyroid antibodies (TAs) can influence the biosynthesis of THs. Epidemiological studies have indicated that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could induce thyroid disruption, but studies on teenagers living in areas with high PFAS exposure are limited. This cross-sectional study focused on 836 teenagers (11- 15 years) living near a Chinese fluorochemical industrial plant. Decreased levels of free thyroxine (FT4, ﹤9.6 pmol/L, abnormal rate = 19.0 %) and elevated levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3, ﹥6.15 pmol/L, abnormal rate = 29.8 %) were observed. Correlations of serum PFAS concentrations and TAs/THs were analyzed. Increased PFOA was identified as a risk factor of decreased FT4 by using unadjusted (OR: 11.346; 95 % CI: 6.029, 21.352, p < 0.001) and adjusted (OR: 12.566; 95 % CI: 6.549, 24.115, p < 0.001) logistic regression models. In addition, significantly negative correlations were found between log10 transformed PFOA and FT4 levels using linear (unadjusted: β = -1.543, 95 % CI: -1.937, -1.148, p < 0.001; adjusted: β = -1.534, 95 % CI: -1.930, -1.137, p < 0.001) and BKMR models. For abnormal FT3, a significantly positive association between PFHxS and FT3 levels was observed in a regression model (unadjusted: β = -0.903, 95 % CI: -1.212, -0.595, p < 0.001; adjusted: β = -0.894, 95 % CI: -1.204, -0.583, p < 0.001), and PFHxS was identified as a risk factor (unadjusted: OR: 4.387; 95 % CI: 2.619, 7.346, p < 0.001; adjusted: OR: 4.527; 95 % CI: 2.665, 7.688, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the above results. This study reported the elevated PFAS exposure and thyroid function of teenagers living near a fluorochemical industrial plant from China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Na Xie
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Li-Qin Su
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Sai-Sai Ji
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wen Gu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xiao-Jie Dong
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Hui-Juan Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Sha-Sha Hou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhen-Huan Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yi-Lin Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, Shandong Province 255000, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
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Marchese MJ, Zhu T, Hawkey AB, Wang K, Yuan E, Wen J, Be SE, Levin ED, Feng L. Prenatal and perinatal exposure to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-contaminated drinking water impacts offspring neurobehavior and development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170459. [PMID: 38290673 PMCID: PMC10923173 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants ubiquitous in the environment and humans. In-utero PFAS exposure is associated with numerous adverse health impacts. However, little is known about how prenatal PFAS mixture exposure affects offspring's neurobehavioral function. This study aims to determine the causal relationship between in-utero PFAS mixture exposure and neurobehavioral changes in Sprague-Dawley rat offspring. Dams were exposed via drinking water to the vehicle (control), an environmentally relevant PFAS mixture, or a high-dose PFAS mixture. The environmentally relevant mixture was formulated to resemble measured tap water levels in Pittsboro, NC, USA (10 PFAS compounds; sum PFAS =758.6 ng/L). The high-dose PFAS load was 3.8 mg/L (5000×), within the range of exposures in the experimental literature. Exposure occurred seven days before mating until birth. Following exposure to PFAS-laden water or the vehicle during fetal development, neurobehavioral toxicity was assessed in male and female offspring with a battery of motor, cognitive, and affective function tests as juveniles, adolescents, and adults. Just before weaning, the environmentally relevant exposure group had smaller anogenital distances compared to the vehicle and high-dose groups on day 17, and males in the environmentally relevant exposure group demonstrated lower weights than the high-dose group on day 21 (p < 0.05). Reflex development delays were seen in negative geotaxis acquisition for both exposure groups compared to vehicle-exposed controls (p = 0.009). Our post-weaning behavioral measures of anxiety, depression, and memory were not found to be affected by maternal PFAS exposure. In adolescence (week five) and adulthood (week eight), the high PFAS dose significantly attenuated typical sex differences in locomotor activity. Maternal exposure to an environmentally relevant PFAS mixture produced developmental delays in the domains of pup weight, anogenital distance, and reflex acquisition for rat offspring. The high-dose PFAS exposure significantly decreased typical sex differences in locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianyi Zhu
- Duke University Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew B Hawkey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | | | - Emi Yuan
- Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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James AA, OShaughnessy KL. Environmental chemical exposures and mental health outcomes in children: a narrative review of recent literature. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1290119. [PMID: 38098750 PMCID: PMC10720725 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1290119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Mental health is an important factor for children's overall wellbeing. National health statistics show that millions of children are diagnosed with mental health disorders every year, and evidence from studies on chemical pollutants like lead and bisphenols indicate that environmental exposures are linked to mental health illnesses in youth. However, the relationship between children's mental health and the environment is not well understood. This paper aims to review recent literature on prenatal and/or childhood environmental chemical exposures and mental health problems related to mood, anxiety, and behavior. This work also identifies areas of insufficient data and proposes suggestions to fill the data gaps. Methods: A narrative review was performed by searching Google Scholar and PubMed for literature published in the last 6 years (2017-2022), using search terms related to children, mental health, and environmental chemical exposure. Additional relevant studies were identified by screening the references in these papers. Results: A total of 29 studies are included in this review and results are summarized by chemical category: heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pesticides. The majority of studies reported positive and significant associations between chemical exposures and child mental health outcomes including internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that there is a growing body of literature that suggests developmental exposure to some environmental chemicals increases a child's risk of mood, anxiety, and behavior problems. Future research should expand on these findings to understand cumulative impacts, chemical mixtures, neurotoxic mechanisms, sex differences, and windows of vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. James
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Children’s Health Protection, Regulatory Support and Science Policy Division, Washington, DC, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Katherine L. OShaughnessy
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Public Health Integrated Toxicology Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Gao XX, Zuo QL, Fu XH, Song LL, Cen MQ, Wu J. Association between prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in children: Evidence based on birth cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116812. [PMID: 37536558 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although numerous studies have examined the effect of prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure on neurodevelopment in children, findings have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVE To better understand the effects of PFAS exposure during pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment, we conducted a systematic review of prenatal exposure to different types of PFAS and neurodevelopment in children. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE electronic databases up to March 2023. Only birth cohort studies that report a specific association between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and neurodevelopment were included in this review. RESULTS 31 birth cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria were qualitatively integrated. Among these, 14 studies investigated the impact of PFAS exposure during pregnancy on cognition, 13 on neurobehavior, and 4 on both cognition and neurobehavior. Additionally, 4 studies explored the influence of PFAS on children's comprehensive development. CONCLUSION Prenatal PFAS exposure was associated with poor neurodevelopment in children, including psychomotor development, externalizing behavior, and comprehensive development. However, conclusive evidence regarding its effects on other neurological outcomes remains limited. In addition, sex-specific effects on social behavior and sleep problems were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Gao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qian-Lin Zuo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xi-Hang Fu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ling-Ling Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Man-Qiu Cen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Tillaut H, Monfort C, Rouget F, Pelé F, Lainé F, Gaudreau E, Cordier S, Warembourg C, Saint-Amour D, Chevrier C. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Child Behavior at Age 12: A PELAGIE Mother-Child Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117009. [PMID: 37971539 PMCID: PMC10653211 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemical substances spread throughout the environment worldwide. Exposure during pregnancy represents a specific window of vulnerability for child health. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the impact of prenatal exposure to multiple PFAS on emotional and behavioral functions in 12-y-old children. METHOD In the PELAGIE mother-child cohort (France), prenatal exposure to nine PFAS was measured from concentrations in cord serum samples. Behavior was assessed at age 12 y using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the self-reported Dominic Interactive for Adolescents (DIA) for 444 children. Associations were estimated using negative binomial models for each PFAS. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were performed to assess the exposure mixture effect on children's behavior. RESULTS In our study population, 73% of mothers had spent more than 12 y in education. Higher scores on SDQ externalizing subscale were observed with increasing cord-serum concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) [adjusted mean ratio ( aMR ) = 1.18 , 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.34, and aMR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.29) for every doubling of concentration, respectively]. Results for the hyperactivity score were similar [aMR = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.40) and aMR = 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), respectively]. With regard to major depressive disorder and internalizing subscales, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) was associated with higher self-reported DIA scores [aMR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.27) and aMR = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.21), respectively]. In terms of the anxiety subscale, PFDA and PFNA were associated with higher scores [aMR = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.21) and aMR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.19), respectively]. Concurrent increases in the PFAS concentrations included in the BKMR models showed no change in the SDQ externalizing and DIA internalizing subscales scores. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFNA and PFOA were associated with increasing scores for measures of externalizing behaviors, specifically hyperactivity. We also identified associations between PFNA and PFDA prenatal exposure levels and increasing scores related to internalizing behaviors (general anxiety and major depressive disorder), which adds to the as yet sparse literature examining the links between prenatal exposure to PFAS and internalizing disorders. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12540.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Tillaut
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Christine Monfort
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Florence Rouget
- Irset - UMR_S 1085, Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Rennes, France
| | - Fabienne Pelé
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Fabrice Lainé
- CIC 1414, Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, Rennes, France
| | - Eric Gaudreau
- Centre de Toxicologie du Québec (CTQ), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvaine Cordier
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Charline Warembourg
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
| | - Dave Saint-Amour
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) - UMR 1085, Université de Rennes, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm), École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP), Rennes, France
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Koelmel JP, Lin EZ, Parry E, Stelben P, Rennie EE, Godri Pollitt KJ. Novel perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discovered in whole blood using automated non-targeted analysis of dried blood spots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163579. [PMID: 37100129 PMCID: PMC10247435 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A small subset of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are routinely screened in human blood. These compounds generally explain <50 % of the total PFAS in human blood. The percentage of known PFAS in human blood has been decreasing as replacement PFAS and more complex PFAS chemistries are introduced to the market. Most of these novel PFAS have not been previously identified. Non-targeted methods are required to characterize this "dark matter" PFAS. Our objective was to apply non-targeted PFAS analysis to human blood to gain an understanding about the sources, concentrations, and toxicity of these compounds. A high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS) and software workflow for PFAS characterization in dried blood spots is reported. Dried blood spots are a less invasive collection technique compared to venous blood draws, allowing collection from vulnerable populations. Biorepositories of archived dried blood spots are available internationally from newborns and present opportunities to study prenatal exposure to PFAS. In this study, dried blood spot cards were analyzed using iterative MS/MS by liquid chromatography HRMS. Data processing was conducted using FluoroMatch Suite including a visualizer tool that presents homologous series, retention time vs m/z plots, MS/MS spectra, feature tables, annotations, and fragments for fragment screening. The researcher performing data-processing and annotation was blinded to the fact that standards were spiked in, and was able to annotate 95 % of standards spiked on dried blood spot samples, signifying a low false negative rate using FluoroMatch Suite. A total of 28 PFAS (20 standards and 4 exogenous compounds) were detected across five homologous series with Schymanski Level 2 confidence. Of these 4, 3 were perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECA), a chemical class of PFAS which is increasingly being detected in environmental and biological matrices but is not currently screened in most targeted analysese. A further 86 potential PFAS were detected using fragment screening. PFAS are extremely persistent and widespread yet remain largely unregulated. Our findings will contribute to an improved an understanding of exposures. Application of these methods in environmental epidemiology studies have the potential to inform policy with regards to PFAS monitoring, regulation, and individual-level mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emily Parry
- Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - Paul Stelben
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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10
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Kim JI, Kim BN, Lee YA, Shin CH, Hong YC, Døssing LD, Hildebrandt G, Lim YH. Association between early-childhood exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and ADHD symptoms: A prospective cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163081. [PMID: 36972880 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
There is evidence that exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Previous studies have focused on prenatal exposure to PFAS, and only few studies have examined the associations of early-childhood exposure, especially at low exposure levels. This study explored the association between early-childhood exposure to PFAS and ADHD symptoms later in childhood. In 521 children, we measured the serum levels of six PFAS in peripheral blood at the ages of 2 and 4 years, including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluornonanoicacid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The ADHD Rating Scale IV (ARS) was utilized to measure ADHD traits at 8 years of age. We explored the relationship between PFAS and ARS scores using Poisson regression models after adjusting for potential confounders. Levels of exposure to individual PFAS and the summed value were divided into quartiles to examine possible nonlinear relationships. All six PFAS exhibited inverted U-shaped curves. Children in the 2nd and 3rd quartile levels of each PFAS showed higher ARS scores than those in the1st quartile level. Below the 3rd quartile of the summed levels of six PFAS (ΣPFAS), a doubling of the ΣPFAS was associated with an 20.0 % (95 % CI: 9.5 %, 31.5 %) increase in ADHD scores. However, at the age of 4 years, none of the evaluated PFAS exhibited linear or nonlinear associations with the ARS scores. Thus, school-aged children may be vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of exposure to PFAS at age 2 that contribute to ADHD, particularly at low to mid-levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seondong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Division of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Lise Dalgaard Døssing
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Gustav Hildebrandt
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, 103 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oster Farmagsgade 5, 1014 Kobenhavn, Denmark.
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11
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Xie Z, Liang H, Miao M, Wang Z, Chen Y, Yang L, Zhou Y, Cao W, Yuan W. Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Development in Children at 6 Years of Age. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37216669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on neurodevelopment in children is inconclusive. In 449 mother-child pairs from the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study, we measured the concentrations of 11 PFASs in maternal plasma samples obtained at 12-16 weeks of gestation. We assessed children's neurodevelopment at 6 years of age by the fourth edition of the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6-18. We evaluated the association between prenatal exposure to PFASs and children's neurodevelopment and the effect modification of maternal dietary factors during pregnancy and the child's sex. We found that prenatal exposure to multiple PFASs was associated with increased scores for attention problems, and the individual effect of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was statistically significant. However, no statistically significant association between PFASs and cognitive development was observed. Additionally, we found the effect modification of maternal nut intake and child's sex. In conclusion, this study suggests that prenatal exposure to PFASs was associated with more attention problems, and maternal nut intake during pregnancy may alter the potential effect of PFASs. However, these findings were exploratory because of multiple testing and the relatively small sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yao Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lan Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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12
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Ames JL, Burjak M, Avalos LA, Braun JM, Bulka CM, Croen LA, Dunlop AL, Ferrara A, Fry RC, Hedderson MM, Karagas MR, Liang D, Lin PID, Lyall K, Moore B, Morello-Frosch R, O’Connor TG, Oh J, Padula AM, Woodruff TJ, Zhu Y, Hamra GB. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Childhood Autism-related Outcomes. Epidemiology 2023; 34:450-459. [PMID: 36630444 PMCID: PMC10074577 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence linking prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with altered neurodevelopment is inconclusive, and few large studies have focused on autism-related outcomes. We investigated whether blood concentrations of PFAS in pregnancy are associated with child autism-related outcomes. METHODS We included 10 cohorts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program (n = 1,429). We measured 14 PFAS analytes in maternal blood collected during pregnancy; eight analytes met detection criteria for analysis. We assessed quantitative autism-related traits in children via parent report on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). In multivariable linear models, we examined relationships of each PFAS (natural log-transformed) with SRS scores. We further modeled PFAS as a complex mixture using Bayesian methods and examined modification of these relationships by child sex. RESULTS Most PFAS in maternal blood were not associated with child SRS T-scores. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed the strongest and most consistent association: each 1-unit increase in ln-transformed PFNA was associated with greater autism-related traits (adjusted β [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.5 [-0.1, 3.0]). The summed mixture, which included six PFAS detected in >70% of participants, was not associated with SRS T-scores (adjusted β [95% highest posterior density interval] = 0.7 [-1.4, 3.0]). We did not observe consistent evidence of sex differences. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal blood concentrations of PFNA may be associated with modest increases in child autism-related traits. Future work should continue to examine the relationship between exposures to both legacy and emerging PFAS and additional dimensional, quantitative measures of childhood autism-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | | | - Lyndsay A. Avalos
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI USA
| | | | - Lisa A. Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | | | | | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Pi-I D. Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse (CoRAL), Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Brianna Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis CA, USA
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Tracey J. Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Yeyi Zhu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA USA
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13
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Yao H, Fu Y, Weng X, Zeng Z, Tan Y, Wu X, Zeng H, Yang Z, Li Y, Liang H, Wu Y, Wen L, Jing C. The Association between Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure and Neurobehavioral Problems in Offspring: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20031668. [PMID: 36767045 PMCID: PMC9914055 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy has been suggested to be associated with neurobehavioral problems in offspring. However, current epidemiological studies on the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neurobehavioral problems among offspring, especially attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and ADHD and ASD in offspring based on meta-analyses. Online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, were searched comprehensively for eligible studies conducted before July 2021. Eleven studies (up to 8493 participants) were included in this analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that exposure to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was positively associated with ADHD in the highest quartile group. Negative associations were observed between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and ADHD/ASD, including between perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and ASD. There were no associations found between total PFAS concentration groups and neurobehavioral problems. The trial sequential analyses showed unstable results. Our findings indicated that PFOA and PFOS exposure during pregnancy might be associated with ADHD in offspring and that prenatal PFOS and PFNA exposure might be associated with ASD in offspring. According to the limited evidence obtained for most associations, additional studies are required to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huojie Yao
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingyin Fu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xueqiong Weng
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Zurui Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuxuan Tan
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huixian Zeng
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhiyu Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yexin Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huanzhu Liang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chunxia Jing
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Ave West, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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14
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Derakhshan A, Kortenkamp A, Shu H, Broeren MAC, Lindh CH, Peeters RP, Bornehag CG, Demeneix B, Korevaar TIM. Association of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with thyroid homeostasis during pregnancy in the SELMA study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 167:107420. [PMID: 35870378 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during early pregnancy with markers of the maternal thyroid system. METHODS Serum concentrations of seven PFAS as well as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (FT4 and TT4), free and total triiodothyronine (FT3 and TT3) were measured in pregnant women in early pregnancy in the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy (SELMA) study. Outcomes were concentrations of TSH and thyroid hormones, FT4/FT3 or TT4/TT3 ratios, TSH/FT4 ratio as a marker of the negative feedback loop, TT4/FT4 or TT3/FT3 ratios as markers of the binding of thyroid hormones to binding proteins. RESULTS The study population comprised 2,008 women with median (95% range) gestational age of 10 (6-14) weeks. There was no association between PFAS and TSH. Higher PFNA, PFDA, PFHpA and PFOA levels were associated with a higher FT4 (largest effect estimate for PFDA: β [95% CI]: 0.27 [0.10 to 0.45], P = 0.002). Higher PFUnDA levels, but no other PFAS, were associated with a lower FT3 (β [95% CI]: -0.05 [-0.09 to -0.01], P = 0.005). Higher PFUnDA levels were associated with lower TT4 (β [95% CI]: -1.58 [-3.07 to -0.09]) and there was an inverted U-shaped association of PFOS with TT4 (P = 0.03). Higher PFDA, PFUnDA, PFHpA levels were associated with a lower TT3. Overall, higher PFAS concentrations were associated with a higher FT4/FT3 ratio and a higher TT4/TT3 ratio. There was no association of PFAS with the TSH/FT4 ratio. Higher concentrations of several PFAS were associated with lower TT4/FT4 and TT3/FT3 ratios. CONCLUSIONS These findings translate results from experimental studies suggesting that exposure to PFAS may interfere with the thyroid system during pregnancy. Further experimental studies should take into account human evidence to better understand the potential underlying mechanisms of thyroid disruption by PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Derakhshan
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Division of Environmental Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Huan Shu
- Department of Public Health, Karlstad University, Sweden
| | - Maarten A C Broeren
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, De Run, 4600, The Netherlands
| | - Christian H Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 22363 Lund, Sweden
| | - Robin P Peeters
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Department of Public Health, Karlstad University, Sweden; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Laboratoire d'Evolution des Régulations Endocriniennes, CNRS/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tim I M Korevaar
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 15, 3051 GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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15
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The effect of chronic exposure to a low concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid on cognitive function and intestinal health of obese mice induced by a high-fat diet. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 168:113395. [PMID: 36049591 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent organic pollutant associated with many adverse health risks. Evidence suggests that obese individuals may be more susceptible to environmental substances. In the present work, we explored the effects of PFOA exposure on the cognitive function and intestinal health of obese mice. Obese mice induced by a high-fat diet were exposed to PFOA (0.5 mg/kg (bw)/day) via drinking water for 100 days. After exposure to PFOA, decreased body weight, enlarged liver, abnormal behavior, impaired synapse structure, neuroinflammation, activated glial cell, decreased nerve growth factor, altered gut microbiota, and disturbed serum metabolites were observed, while the gut inflammation and intestinal barrier were not significantly influenced. These results suggest that exposure to PFOA is associated with cognitive impairment in obese mice.
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16
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Xie Z, Tan J, Fang G, Ji H, Miao M, Tian Y, Hu H, Cao W, Liang H, Yuan W. Associations between prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and neurobehavioral development in early childhood: A prospective cohort study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113818. [PMID: 35777342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Findings from epidemiological studies on the associations between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and children's neurodevelopment were inconclusive, and most studies did not account for the co-exposure to multiple PFASs with strong inter-correlations. The present study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal multiple PFAS exposure on children's neurobehavioral development based on 614 mother-infant pairs in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort Study. Eight PFAS concentrations were measured in maternal plasma at 12-16 weeks of gestation. Children's neurobehavioral development at 2 and 4 years of age was assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5. In Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analyses that could address the inter-correlations between multiple PFASs, PFAS mixture appeared to be associated with fewer Somatic Complaints and more Externalizing Problems in boys, but more Somatic Complaints and Sleep Problems in girls. There were suggestive associations of PFNA and PFOS with decreased risk of Somatic Complaints and of PFUdA and PFTrDA with increased risk of Externalizing Problems in boys; trends of increased risk in girls were observed between PFUdA and Somatic Complaints and between PFTrDA and Sleep Problems. Overall, we found no clear evidence that prenatal exposure to PFASs had negative effects on neurobehavioral development in children. However, the modest associations still suggested the potential developmental neurotoxicity of prenatal PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Xie
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanghong Fang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglei Ji
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Health Management, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Channing Division of Network Medicine, USA
| | - Wencheng Cao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Toxicology, National Reference Laboratory of Dioxin, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Hong Liang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Wei Yuan
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai 200237, China
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17
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Yao Q, Vinturache A, Lei X, Wang Z, Pan C, Shi R, Yuan T, Gao Y, Tian Y. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, fetal thyroid hormones, and infant neurodevelopment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 206:112561. [PMID: 34954147 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are believed to impair early neurodevelopment and disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) levels. However, there are limited epidemiological data on the neurodevelopmental effects in infancy of prenatal PFAS exposure and the potential mediating effects of TH. OBJECTIVES To evaluate potential associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and early neurodevelopmental deficiencies, and assess mediator effects of TH. METHODS From 2010 to 2013, 274 mother-infant pairs were recruited to the Laizhou Wan Birth Cohort in China. Ten PFAS and five TH were measured in cord serum. Developmental quotient (DQ) from 5 domains (adaptive, social, language, gross and fine motor) was assessed using Gesell Developmental Schedules for each child at 1 year of age. The associations between PFAS and DQs were evaluated using multivariable linear regressions. TH-mediated effects of PFAS on DQs were calculated by mediation analyses. RESULTS Among our study population, PFAS exposures were common and associated with DQ decrement in infants. For each 10-fold increase in PFBS concentrations, gross motor and adaptive DQ decreased by 8.56 (95%CI: -15.15, -1.97) and 5.87 (95%CI: -8.07, -3.67) points, respectively. TSH mediated 12.90% of the association of PFBS with gross motor DQ and FT4 explained 19.63% of the association of PFBS with adaptive DQ. The negative association was also found between PFHxS exposure and gross motor DQ (β = 8.14, 95%CI: -15.39, -0.98). CONCLUSIONS PFBS and PFHxS were negatively associated with early neurodevelopment, especially consistent in gross motor domain. The associations were partly explained by TSH and FT4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Xiaoning Lei
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixia Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyu Pan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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18
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Ramírez V, Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, González-Domenech PJ, Baca MÁ, Rodrigo L, Rivas A. Role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in children's neurodevelopment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111890. [PMID: 34418446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental stressors, like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC), are considered important contributors to the increased rates of neurodevelopmental dysfunctions. Considering the cumulative research on adverse neurodevelopmental effects associated with prenatal exposure to EDC, the purpose of this study was to review the available limited literature about the effects of postnatal exposure to EDC on child neurodevelopment and behaviour. Despite widespread children's exposure to EDC, there are a limited number of epidemiological studies on the association of this exposure with neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular in the postnatal period. The available research suggests that postnatal EDC exposure is related to adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in children; however the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. Timing of exposure is a key factor determining potential neurodevelopmental consequences, hence studying the impact of multiple EDC co-exposure in different vulnerable life periods could guide the identification of sensitive subpopulations. Most of the reviewed studies did not take into account sex differences in the EDC effects on children neurodevelopment. We believe that the inclusion of sex in the study design should be considered as the role of EDC on children neurodevelopment are likely sex-specific and should be taken into consideration when determining susceptibility and potential mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Ramírez
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gálvez-Ontiveros
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo José González-Domenech
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Lourdes Rodrigo
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Ana Rivas
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain
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19
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Luo J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Kesmodel US, Xiao J, Vasiliou V, Deziel NC, Zhang Y, Olsen J, Liew Z. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Facial Features at 5 Years of Age: A Study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17006. [PMID: 35080464 PMCID: PMC8791068 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread persistent pollutants. Evidence regarding neurodevelopmental effects of PFAS have been mixed. The relation between PFAS exposure and anatomical markers that have been suggested to correlate with fetal brain development have not been studied. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and three craniofacial features in children measured at 5 years of age. METHODS Measures of palpebral fissure length (PFL), philtrum groove, and upper-lip thickness were generated from standardized digital facial photographs from 656 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort. PFL was classified into two groups (shorter; normal), and the philtrum (grooved; smooth; normal) and upper-lip (thick; thin; normal) measures into three groups each. Six PFAS were measured in maternal plasma (median=8 gestational wk). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each facial feature using the normal group as the reference according to log2-PFAS concentration (in nanograms per milliliter) or PFAS tertiles, adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal alcohol intake and smoking. Stratified analyses by maternal alcohol intake or child's sex were performed. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to each PFAS was associated with elevated odds for a shorter PFL, with the strongest association observed for perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; per doubling OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.70). Some nonlinear associations were found for philtrum measures: the second tertile of PFDA and perfluorononanoic acid were associated with grooved philtrum, whereas the second tertile of perfluoroheptane sulfonate with smooth philtrum. The associations between PFAS exposure and a shorter PFL were stronger among mothers who consumed alcohol in the first trimester, some sex-specific associations were noted for philtrum and upper-lip measures. DISCUSSION Prenatal PFAS exposures might influence fetal craniofacial development. A larger study is needed to replicate the potential modifying effects observed for alcohol exposure and to clarify whether associations of craniofacial markers observed reflect specific neurologic deficits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jingyuan Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicole C. Deziel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yawei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zeyan Liew
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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20
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Skogheim TS, Weyde KVF, Aase H, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Biele G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Brantsæter AL, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Auyeung B, Villanger GD. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111692. [PMID: 34293314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits and disorders, but evidence is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PFAS were associated with childhood diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and included n = 821 ADHD cases, n = 400 ASD cases and n = 980 controls. Diagnostic cases were identified by linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry. In addition, we used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The study included the following PFAS measured in maternal plasma sampled mid-pregnancy: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Relationships between individual PFAS and ADHD or ASD diagnoses were examined using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. We also tested for possible non-linear exposure-outcome associations. Further, we investigated the PFAS mixture associations with ASD and ADHD diagnoses using a quantile-based g-computation approach. RESULTS Odds of ASD was significantly elevated in PFOA quartile 2 [OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.45)] compared to quartile 1, and PFOA appeared to have a non-linear, inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship with ASD. PFOA was also associated with increased odds of ADHD, mainly in quartile 2 [OR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.04)] compared to quartile 1, and displayed a non-linear relationship in the restricted cubic spline model. Several PFAS (PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFOS) were inversely associated with odds of ADHD and/or ASD. Some of the associations were modified by child sex and maternal education. The overall PFAS mixture was inversely associated with ASD [OR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.90)] as well as the carboxylate mixture [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.93)] and the sulfonate mixture [OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD in children. For some PFAS, as well as their mixtures, there were inverse associations with ASD and/or ADHD. However, the inverse associations reported herein should not be interpreted as protective effects, but rather that there could be some unresolved confounding for these relationships. The epidemiologic literature linking PFAS exposures with neurodevelopmental outcomes is still inconclusive, suggesting the need for more research to elucidate the neurotoxicological potential of PFAS during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Vegard F Weyde
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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21
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Dalsager L, Jensen TK, Nielsen F, Grandjean P, Bilenberg N, Andersen HR. No association between maternal and child PFAS concentrations and repeated measures of ADHD symptoms at age 2½ and 5 years in children from the Odense Child Cohort. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 88:107031. [PMID: 34563660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The potential impact of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on childhood Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) is unclear and deserves scrutiny. The majority of previously conducted longitudinal studies found no association between maternal serum-PFAS concentrations and ADHD symptoms in the offspring, but some studies observed possible associations with postnatal PFAS exposures, mainly in girls. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between maternal and child serum concentrations of five PFAS and symptoms of ADHD at ages 2½ and 5 years. METHODS In the Odense Child Cohort (OCC) women were recruited in early pregnancy in 2010-12 and their children are being prospectively followed. Mothers donated serum samples in the first trimester and children at age 18 months to be analyzed for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). Parents completed the Child Behavior Check List for ages 1.5-5 years (CBCL/1½-5), including a 6-item ADHD symptom scale at age 2½ years and again at 5 years. Negative binomial and logistic regression models taking account of repeated measures were used to investigate the association between maternal and child serum-PFAS concentrations and the ADHD symptom score. Effect modification by child sex was investigated as well. RESULTS A total of 1138 mother-child pairs were included. At age 2½ years, 17.4% of the children had an ADHD scale score ≥ 5 (equivalent to the 90th percentile), whereas the proportion was 15.8% at age 5. We found no association between either maternal or child PFAS concentrations in serum and symptoms of ADHD at age 2½ or 5 years, and no evidence of effect modification by sex. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of an association between early-life PFAS exposure and the risk of developing symptoms of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Dalsager
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Odense Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Research center in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (FOCUS), Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle Raun Andersen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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22
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Ghassabian A, Vandenberg L, Kannan K, Trasande L. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Child Health. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 62:573-594. [PMID: 34555290 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-021921-093352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
While definitions vary, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have two fundamental features: their disruption of hormone function and their contribution to disease and disability. The unique vulnerability of children to low-level EDC exposures has eroded the notion that only the dose makes the thing a poison, requiring a paradigm shift in scientific and policy practice. In this review, we discuss the unique vulnerability of children as early as fetal life and provide an overview of epidemiological studies on programming effects of EDCs on neuronal, metabolic, and immune pathways as well as on endocrine, reproductive, and renal systems. Building on this accumulating evidence, we dispel and address existing myths about the health effects of EDCs with examples from child health research. Finally, we provide a list of effective actions to reduce exposure, and subsequent harm that are applicable to individuals, communities, and policy-makers. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhgar Ghassabian
- Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; .,Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Laura Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA;
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Departments of Pediatrics and Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; .,Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.,Wagner School of Public Service and College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
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23
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Vuong AM, Yolton K, Xie C, Dietrich KN, Braun JM, Webster GM, Calafat AM, Lanphear BP, Chen A. Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral domains in children at age 8 years. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 88:107022. [PMID: 34438039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxicological studies have raised concerns regarding the neurotoxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, observational evidence from human studies investigating the association between childhood PFAS and neurobehavior is limited and remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To examine whether childhood PFAS concentrations are associated with neurobehavior in children at age 8 years and whether child sex modifies this relationship. METHODS We used data from 208 mother-child dyads in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort (Cincinnati, OH, USA). We quantified PFAS in child serum at 3 and 8 years. We assessed neurobehavioral domains using the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 at 8 years. We used multiple informant models to estimate score changes per ln-increase in repeated PFAS concentrations. RESULTS Childhood PFAS were not associated with Externalizing or Internalizing Problems at 8 years. However, we noted effect measure modification by sex, with higher scores in Externalizing Problems among males per ln-unit increase in perfluorononanoate (PFNA) at 3 years (β = 4.3 points, 95% CI: 1.0, 7.7) while females had lower scores (β = -2.8 points, 95% CI: -4.7, -1.0). More Internalizing Problems were observed among males per ln-unit increase in concurrent PFNA concentrations (β = 3.7 points, 95% CI: 0.7, 6.8), but not in females (β = -1.7 points, 95% CI: -4.6, 1.2). Childhood PFNA concentrations were associated with lower scores for attention problems and activity of daily living. CONCLUSION While findings do not consistently support an association between childhood PFAS serum concentrations and neurobehavior, child sex may play a role in this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Vuong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Public Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Changchun Xie
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Kim N Dietrich
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Box G-S121-2, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Glenys M Webster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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24
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Vuong AM, Webster GM, Yolton K, Calafat AM, Muckle G, Lanphear BP, Chen A. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavior in US children through 8 years of age: The HOME study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110825. [PMID: 33545124 PMCID: PMC7987860 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors in children are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To examine associations between maternal serum PFAS concentrations and child behavior in 241 mother-child dyads within the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study. METHODS We quantified perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) in maternal serum collected during pregnancy or at delivery. We evaluated a total of 17 outcomes of child behavior using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) at 5 and 8 years (n = 240) and ADHD diagnostic symptoms and criteria with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Young Child (DISC-YC) at 5 years (n = 190). We used linear mixed models and logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to assess associations between PFAS and continuous or dichotomous "at risk" BASC-2 scores; negative binomial regression to calculate incident rate ratios for counts of ADHD symptoms; and Poisson regression with robust standard errors to calculate relative risks of meeting ADHD diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Each ln-unit increase in PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA was associated with higher BASC-2 scores and increased odds of "at-risk" scores for externalizing behaviors, including hyperactivity (PFOS: odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 5.9; PFHxS: OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5, 4.3; PFNA: OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3, 8.0). PFHxS was also associated with internalizing problems (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.4) and somatization (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2, 4.0). PFOS and PFNA were significantly associated with 50-80% more DISC-YC symptoms and diagnostic criteria related to hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD. Prenatal PFNA was associated with increased risk of any-type ADHD. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal PFOS and PFNA were consistently associated with measures related to hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD across two validated assessment instruments. PFHxS was associated with increased problems with both externalizing and internalizing behaviors. No associations were noted between PFOA and child neurobehavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Vuong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Glenys M Webster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gina Muckle
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Legacy and Emerging Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Analytical Techniques, Environmental Fate, and Health Effects. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22030995. [PMID: 33498193 PMCID: PMC7863963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22030995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their unique chemical properties, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used extensively as industrial surfactants and processing aids. While several types of PFAS have been voluntarily phased out by their manufacturers, these chemicals continue to be of ecological and public health concern due to their persistence in the environment and their presence in living organisms. Moreover, while the compounds referred to as “legacy” PFAS remain in the environment, alternative compounds have emerged as replacements for their legacy predecessors and are now detected in numerous matrices. In this review, we discuss the historical uses of PFAS, recent advances in analytical techniques for analysis of these compounds, and the fate of PFAS in the environment. In addition, we evaluate current biomonitoring studies of human exposure to legacy and emerging PFAS and examine the associations of PFAS exposure with human health impacts, including cancer- and non-cancer-related outcomes. Special focus is given to short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and ether-substituted, polyfluoroalkyl alternatives including hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA; tradename GenX), 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (DONA), and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroethersulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA; tradename F-53B).
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26
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Marchese MJ, Li S, Liu B, Zhang JJ, Feng L. Perfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and the BDNF Pathway in the Placental Trophoblast. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:694885. [PMID: 34394001 PMCID: PMC8357370 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.694885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants that have become globally ubiquitous in humans and the environment. In utero PFAS exposure is associated with neurodevelopmental effects; however, the mechanism is poorly understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling is critical to fetal neurodevelopment during pregnancy and maintains important regulatory roles later in life. This study aims to characterize placental BDNF signaling and investigate whether PFAS exposure disrupts the signaling pathway in placental trophoblast cells. METHODS The expression and localization of BDNF receptors-p75NTR and TrkB-in first trimester and term human placentas and trophoblast cells were investigated by immunofluorescence staining. To assess the effects of PFAS exposure on the BDNF pathway, BeWo cells were treated with PFAS mixtures that mimicked blood levels in a highly exposed population and major PFAS compounds in the mixture at 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µM concentrations. Changes in pro-BDNF levels and phosphorylation of TrkB receptors were examined by Western blot. RESULTS In first trimester human placentas, TrkB and p75NTR receptors were primarily localized to syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells. At term, TrkB and p75NTR receptors were primarily observed in the placental villous stroma. TrkB receptor staining in trophoblasts was reduced at term, while p75NTR receptor staining was negative. TrkB receptors were confined to the nuclear and perinuclear spaces, and phosphorylation occurred at the Tyr816 residue in BeWo cells. Exposure to PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, and the six-PFAS mixture did not significantly affect BDNF levels or activation (phosphorylation) of TrkB. Treating cells with 1 μM and 10 μM of PFNA resulted in increased TrkB phosphorylation compared to unexposed controls, but BDNF levels were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS BDNF receptors are present in different regions of human placental villi, indicating diverse functions of BDNF signaling in placental development. Our findings suggest that the BDNF pathway in placental trophoblast cells is not disrupted by exposures to PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, and a PFAS mixture, but may be affected by PFNA exposures. Further investigation is needed on how PFAS affects other critical signaling pathways during fetal neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Marchese
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Shuman Li
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun J. Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liping Feng, ; Jun J. Zhang,
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Liping Feng, ; Jun J. Zhang,
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Yu G, Luo F, Nian M, Li S, Liu B, Feng L, Zhang J. Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Fetal BDNF Level: A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:653095. [PMID: 34140927 PMCID: PMC8204808 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.653095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are widely exposed to environmental perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which may affect fetal neurodevelopment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important factor in neurodevelopment, but its role in PFAS-induced neurotoxicity is unclear. We investigated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and fetal BDNF level in the umbilical cord blood in a large prospective cohort. METHODS A total of 725 pregnant women who participated in the Shanghai Birth Cohort were included. 10 PFAS were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in the plasma samples of early pregnancy. The BDNF level was determined by ELISA. The concentration of total mercury (Hg) in the umbilical cord blood was tested by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and included as a main confounder, along with other covariates. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the associations between PFAS concentrations and BDNF level. Quantile-based g-computation was applied to explore the joint and independent effects of PFAS on BDNF level. RESULTS The mean BDNF level in the total population was 10797 (±4713) pg/ml. Male fetuses had a higher level than female fetuses (P<0.001). A significant positive association was observed between PFHxS and BDNF level after adjusting for potential confounders [β=1285 (95% CI: 453, 2118, P=0.003)]. No association was observed between other PFAS congeners and BDNF level. Results of the mixed exposure model showed that the joint effects of PFAS mixture were not associated with BDNF [β=447 (95% CI: -83, 978, P=0.10)], while the positive association with PFHxS exposure remained significant after controlling for other PFAS [β=592 (95% CI: 226, 958, P=0.002)]. The above associations were more prominent in male [β=773 (95% CI: 25, 1520, P= 0.04)] than female fetuses [β=105 (95% CI: -791, 1002, P= 0.82)] for the mixed effects. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to PFHxS was associated with an increased BDNF level in the umbilical blood, especially in male fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Nian
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuman Li
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhang, ; Liping Feng,
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Coperchini F, Croce L, Ricci G, Magri F, Rotondi M, Imbriani M, Chiovato L. Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:612320. [PMID: 33542707 PMCID: PMC7851056 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.612320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a group of synthetic compounds widely used in industry plants due to their low grade of degradation, surfactant properties, thermic and flame resistance. These characteristics are useful for the industrial production, however they are also potentially dangerous for human health and for the environment. PFAS are persistent pollutants accumulating in waters and soil and recoverable in foods due to their release by food packaging. Humans are daily exposed to PFAS because these compounds are ubiquitous and, when assimilated, they are difficult to be eliminated, persisting for years both in humans and animals. Due to their persistence and potential danger to health, some old generation PFAS have been replaced by newly synthesized PFAS with the aim to use alternative compounds presumably safer for humans and the environment. Yet, the environmental pollution with PFAS remains a matter of concern worldwide and led to large-scale epidemiological studies both on plants' workers and on exposed people in the general population. In this context, strong concern emerged concerning the potential adverse effects of PFAS on the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the regulation of metabolism, and thyroid function is related to cardiovascular disease, fertility, and fetal neurodevelopment. In vitro, ex vivo data, and epidemiological studies suggested that PFASs may disrupt the thyroid hormone system in humans, with possible negative repercussions on the outcome of pregnancy and fetal-child development. However, data on the thyroid disrupting effect of PFAS remain controversial, as well as their impact on human health in different ages of life. Aim of the present paper is to review recent data on the effects of old and new generation PFAS on thyroid homeostasis. To this purpose we collected information from in vitro studies, animal models, and in vivo data on exposed workers, general population, and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ricci
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Chiovato,
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