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Jenkins HM, Meeker JD, Zimmerman E, Cathey A, Fernandez J, Montañez GH, Park S, Pabón ZR, Vélez Vega CM, Cordero JF, Alshawabkeh A, Watkins DJ. Gestational glyphosate exposure and early childhood neurodevelopment in a Puerto Rico birth cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118114. [PMID: 38211716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118114] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or glyphosate, is a non-selective systemic herbicide widely used in agricultural, industrial, and residential settings since 1974. Glyphosate exposure has been inconsistently linked to neurotoxicity in animals, and studies of effects of gestational exposure among humans are scarce. In this study we investigated relationships between prenatal urinary glyphosate analytes and early childhood neurodevelopment. METHODS Mother-child pairs from the PROTECT-CRECE birth cohort in Puerto Rico with measures for both maternal urinary glyphosate analytes and child neurodevelopment were included for analysis (n = 143). Spot urine samples were collected 1-3 times throughout pregnancy and analyzed for glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), an environmental degradant of glyphosate. Child neurodevelopment was assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months using the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd edition Spanish (BDI-2), which provides scores for adaptive, personal-social, communication, motor, and cognitive domains. We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between the geometric mean of maternal urinary glyphosate analytes across pregnancy and BDI-2 scores at each follow-up. Results were expressed as percent change in BDI-2 score per interquartile range increase in exposure. RESULTS Prenatal AMPA concentrations were negatively associated with communication domain at 12 months (%change = -5.32; 95%CI: 9.04, -1.61; p = 0.007), and communication subdomain scores at 12 and 24 months. At 24 months, four BDI-2 domains were associated with AMPA: adaptive (%change = -3.15; 95%CI: 6.05, -0.25; p = 0.038), personal-social (%change = -4.37; 95%CI: 7.48, -1.26; p = 0.008), communication (%change = -7.00; 95%CI: 11.75, -2.26; p = 0.005), and cognitive (%change = -4.02; 95%CI: 6.72, -1.32; p = 0.005). Similar trends were observed with GLY concentrations, but most confidence intervals include zero. We found no significant associations at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that gestational exposure to glyphosate is associated with adverse early neurodevelopment, with more pronounced delays at 24 months. Given glyphosate's wide usage, further investigation into the impact of gestational glyphosate exposure on neurodevelopment is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Jenkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Amber Cathey
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Jennifer Fernandez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Gredia Huerta Montañez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Seonyoung Park
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Zaira Rosario Pabón
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Carmen M Vélez Vega
- Department of Social Sciences, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA.
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Ornelas Van Horne Y, Diaz LM, Trowbridge J, Alcala CS, González DJ. Toward Language Justice in Environmental Health Sciences in the United States: A Case for Spanish as a Language of Science. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:85001. [PMID: 37610227 PMCID: PMC10445527 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasingly, marginalized communities are disproportionately facing the worsening effects of environmental hazards, including air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. Language isolation and accessibility has been understudied as a determinant of health. Spanish, despite being the second-most common language in the United States with some 41.8 million speakers, has been neglected among environmental health scientists. Building capacity in high-quality Spanish-language science communication, both for scientific and nonscientific audiences, can yield improvements in health disparities research, public health literacy, international collaborations, and diversity and inclusion efforts. OBJECTIVES In this article, we discuss the context of language diversity in environmental health sciences and offer recommendations for improving science communication in Spanish. DISCUSSION English is currently the predominant language for scientific discourse, but Spanish and other non-English languages are routinely used by many environmental health science students and professionals, as well as much of the public. To more effectively conduct and communicate environmental health work in Spanish, we suggest that researchers and scientific institutions a) foster structural changes, b) train emerging scholars and support established researchers, c) tap into community ways of knowing, and d) leverage emerging technologies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12306.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura M. Diaz
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jessica Trowbridge
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cecilia S. Alcala
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - David J.X. González
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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Zimmerman E, Aguiar A, Aung MT, Geiger SD, Hines M, Woodbury ML, Martens A, Huerta-Montanez G, Cordero JF, Meeker JD, Schantz SL, Alshawabkeh AN. Examining the association between prenatal maternal stress and infant non-nutritive suck. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1285-1293. [PMID: 34916626 PMCID: PMC9200902 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01894-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the relationship between prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) and non-nutritive suck (NNS) and tested its robustness across 2 demographically diverse populations. METHODS The study involved 2 prospective birth cohorts participating in the national Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program: Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS) and ECHO Puerto Rico (ECHO-PROTECT). PREMS was measured during late pregnancy via the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). NNS was sampled from 1- to 8-week-olds using a custom pacifier for ~5 min. RESULTS Overall, 237 mother-infant dyads completed this study. Despite several significant differences, including race/ethnicity, income, education, and PREMS levels, significant PREMS-NNS associations were found in the 2 cohorts. In adjusted linear regression models, higher PREMS, measured through PSS-10 total scores, related to fewer but longer NNS bursts per minute. CONCLUSIONS A significant association was observed between PREMS and NNS across two diverse cohorts. This finding is important as it may enable the earlier detection of exposure-related deficits and, as a result, earlier intervention, which potentially can optimize outcomes. More research is needed to understand how NNS affects children's neurofunction and development. IMPACT In this double-cohort study, we found that higher maternal perceived stress assessed in late pregnancy was significantly associated with fewer but longer sucking bursts in 1- to 8-week-old infants. This is the first study investigating the association between prenatal maternal stress (PREMS) and infant non-nutritive suck (NNS), an early indicator of central nervous system integrity. Non-nutritive suck is a potential marker of increased prenatal stress in diverse populations. Non-nutritive suck can potentially serve as an early indicator of exposure-related neuropsychological deficits allowing for earlier interventions and thus better prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Andréa Aguiar
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Dee Geiger
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Morgan Hines
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan L Woodbury
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alaina Martens
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Susan L Schantz
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Park S, Zimmerman E, Huerta-Montañez G, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Cordero JF, Alshwabekah A, Meeker JD, Watkins DJ. Gestational Exposure to Phthalates and Phthalate Replacements in Relation to Neurodevelopmental Delays in Early Childhood. TOXICS 2023; 11:65. [PMID: 36668792 PMCID: PMC9863718 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates have been linked to changes in child neurodevelopment. However, sex-specificity has been reported inconsistently, and little is known about the impact of recent phthalate replacement chemicals. Our analysis included mother−child pairs (N = 274) from the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico. Phthalate metabolites were measured in multiple maternal urine collected during pregnancy. Neurodevelopment was measured at 6, 12, and 24 months of age using the Battelle Developmental Inventory-2nd edition (BDI), which provides scores for adaptive, personal-social, communication, motor, and cognitive domains. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between phthalate metabolite concentrations and BDI scores, adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, child age, and specific gravity. Sex-specificity was assessed with sex X exposure interaction terms and stratified models. Results show that all five domains were significantly associated with mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) at age 24 months, suggesting a holistic developmental delay related to this metabolite. Sex-specificity existed for all timepoints (p-interaction < 0.2), in general, showing stronger associations among boys. For example, metabolites of a recent phthalate replacement, di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), were differentially associated with the adaptive domain (boys −7.53%/IQR, 95% CI: −14.58, −0.48 vs. girls −0.85%/IQR, 95% CI: −5.08, 3.37), and the cognitive domain (boys −6.05%/IQR, 95% CI: −10.88, −1.22 vs. girls −1.93%/IQR, 95%CI: −4.14, 0.28) at 6 months. To conclude, gestational exposure to phthalates and phthalate replacements was associated with neurodevelopmental delay across multiple domains, with differences by sex and child age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonyoung Park
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gredia Huerta-Montañez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zaira Rosario-Pabón
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Carmen M. Vélez-Vega
- Department of Social Sciences, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
| | - José F. Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Akram Alshwabekah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John D. Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah J. Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Kim C, Zimmerman E, Huerta-Montañez G, Rosario-Pabón ZY, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh AN, Cordero JF, Meeker JD, Watkins DJ. Associations between biomarkers of prenatal metals exposure and non-nutritive suck among infants from the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:1057515. [PMID: 38455310 PMCID: PMC10911005 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.1057515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Background/Aim Infant non-nutritive suck (NNS) has been used as an early marker of neonatal brain function. Although there is an established relationship between prenatal exposure to certain metals and brain development, the association between metal exposure and NNS has not been explored. Therefore, in this study we assessed associations between maternal urinary metal(loid) concentrations and NNS measurements among infants from the Puerto Rico PROTECT birth cohort. We hypothesized that maternal urinary metal(loid) concentrations are significantly associated with infant NNS measures in a sex-dependent manner. Methods We measured urinary concentrations of 14 metal(loid)s in pregnant women at up to three time points in pregnancy. The geometric mean of each metal(loid) for each pregnant woman was calculated and used as an exposure measurement across gestation. NNS measurements (duration, frequency, amplitude, bursts/min, cycles/burst, cycles/min) were collected from infants between 4 and 6 (±2 weeks) weeks of age using our custom research pacifier. Linear regression was used to estimate associations between urinary metal(loid) concentrations across pregnancy and continuous NNS variables. Sex-specific effects were estimated using interaction terms between NNS variables and infant sex. Results We observed significant positive associations between mercury, manganese, and tin with NNS duration (mercury: %Δ = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.42, 1.74; manganese: %Δ = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.15, 1.20; tin: %Δ = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.49) and NNS cycles/burst (mercury: %Δ = 1.85, 95% CI: 0.58, 3.11; manganese: (%Δ = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.40, 2.34; tin: %Δ = 1.68, 95% CI: 0.46, 2.91). Furthermore, the association between NNS cycles/min with cadmium (%Δ = 8.06, 95% CI: 3.33, 12.78), manganese (%Δ = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.40, 7.47), and tin (%Δ = 4.50, 95% CI: 0.81, 8.18) were in the opposite direction from its association with zinc (%Δ = -9.30, 95% CI: -14.71, -3.89), as well as with copper (%Δ = -6.58, 95% CI: -12.06, -1.10). For the sex-stratified analysis, the negative associations between metal(loid)s and NNS duration were predominantly driven by male infants; however, the negative associations between metal(loid)s and NNS bursts/min were mainly driven by female infants. Conclusion We observed significant associations between prenatal metal(loid) exposure and NNS measurements among infants from the ongoing Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort. Similar to previous studies that have demonstrated associations between NNS and subsequent neurodevelopment, this study highlights the potential of NNS as a quantitative index to measure altered neurodevelopment from prenatal metal(loid) exposures. We believe this study will inform future efforts aimed at reducing health risks related to early life metal exposures, such as developing early identification of metal-induced adverse outcomes in child neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gredia Huerta-Montañez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Zaira Y. Rosario-Pabón
- UPR Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Carmen M. Vélez-Vega
- UPR Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - José F. Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D. Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J. Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Frederiksen H, Ljubicic ML, Upners EN, Fischer MB, Busch AS, Hagen CP, Juul A, Andersson AM. Benzophenones, bisphenols and other polychlorinated/phenolic substances in Danish infants and their parents - including longitudinal assessments before and after introduction to mixed diet. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107532. [PMID: 36170755 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are widely exposed to chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting effects. Among those are several benzophenones, bisphenols and other phenols commonly used in consumer products. OBJECTIVES To provide human biomonitoring data from young families including infants and their parents as well as longitudinal data of infants exclusively breastfed versus on mixed diet. METHOD Twenty-two benzophenones, bisphenols and other phenols, were measured in urine sample sets collected from more than 100 infants and their parents (the TRIO study) and in paired samples from 61 infants when exclusively breastfed and after introduction of mixed diet (the FOOD study). RESULTS Twelve out of 22 substances were detectable in more than half of the urine samples from infants, mothers or fathers. Large variation in excreted levels of almost all the substances were observed. The TRIO study showed that infants had comparable or even significantly higher daily urinary excretion (DUE) of benzophenone, 4-hydroxy-benzophenone, bisphenol A, bisphenol S, triclosan and 2-phenylphenol than their parents. In the FOOD study, exclusively breastfed infants had higher or similar DUE of triclosan and benzophenones compared to when they received mixed diet. Urinary levels of triclosan and the benzophenones, BP-1 and BP-3 were significantly correlated between all trio members, indicating exposure from the same sources at home. For triclosan, BP-1 and BP-3, the within family variation was lower than between families in the TRIO study. Many substances were positively correlated both within infants and parents, indicating that some families were exposed to several of these substances concurrently. CONCLUSION Participants in this study excreted relatively low chemical levels, however, simultaneous exposure to several chemicals with endocrine disrupting abilities is of concern due to the dose-additive effects of these substances in combination with other chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emmie N Upners
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Margit Bistrup Fischer
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper P Hagen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Morton S, Honda T, Zimmerman E, Kirwa K, Huerta-Montanez G, Martens A, Hines M, Ondras M, Eum KD, Cordero JF, Alshawabekeh A, Suh HH. Non-nutritive suck and airborne metal exposures among Puerto Rican infants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:148008. [PMID: 34082200 PMCID: PMC8295239 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148008] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution has been shown to impact multiple measures of neurodevelopment in young children. Its effects on particularly vulnerable populations, such as ethnic minorities, however, is less studied. To address this gap in the literature, we assess the associations between infant non-nutritive suck (NNS), an early indicator of central nervous system integrity, and air pollution exposures in Puerto Rico. Among infants aged 0-3 months enrolled in the Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development (CRECE) cohort from 2017 to 2019, we examined associations between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its components on infant NNS in Puerto Rico. NNS was assessed using a pacifier attached to a pressure transducer, allowing for real-time visualization of NNS amplitude, frequency, duration, cycles/burst, cycles/min and bursts/min. These data were linked to 9-month average prenatal concentrations of PM2.5 and components, measured at three community monitoring sites. We used linear regression to examine the PM2.5-NNS association in single pollutant models, controlling for infant sex, maternal age, gestational age, and season of birth in base and additionally for household smoke exposure, age at testing, and NNS duration in full models. Among 198 infants, the average NNS amplitude and burst duration was 17.1 cmH2O and 6.1 s, respectively. Decreased NNS amplitude was consistently and significantly associated with 9-month average exposure to sulfur (-1.026 ± 0.507), zinc (-1.091 ± 0.503), copper (-1.096 ± 0.535) vanadium (-1.157 ± 0.537), and nickel (-1.530 ± 0.501). Decrements in NNS frequency were associated with sulfur exposure (0.036 ± 0.018), but not other examined PM components. Our findings provide new evidence that prenatal maternal exposure to specific PM components are associated with impaired neurodevelopment in Puerto Rican infants soon after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morton
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Trenton Honda
- Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kipruto Kirwa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351618, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gredia Huerta-Montanez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alaina Martens
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Morgan Hines
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Martha Ondras
- Health Effects Institute, 75 Federal Street, Suite 1400, Boston, MA 02110, USA
| | - Ki-Do Eum
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Jose F Cordero
- Departmentof Epidemiology, University of Georgia, 101 Buck Rd, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Akram Alshawabekeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Helen H Suh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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Zimmerman E, Watkins DJ, Huerta-Montanez G, Rosario Pabon Z, Feric Z, Manjourides J, Velez-Vega CM, Figueroa A, Hines M, Martens A, Cordero J, Alshwabekah A, Meeker JD. Associations of gestational phthalate exposure and non-nutritive suck among infants from the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106480. [PMID: 33740674 PMCID: PMC8713051 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infant non-nutritive suck (NNS), or sucking on a pacifier with no nutrients being delivered, has been used as in index of brain function and has been linked to subsequent neurodevelopment. Yet, no data are available connecting NNS to environmental exposures in utero. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between gestational exposure to phthalates (a group of chemicals found in personal care products, PVC plastics, and other products) and NNS among infants in a birth cohort study in Puerto Rico. METHODS Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were measured in women at up to three time points in pregnancy as a measure of in utero exposure to the child. We calculated the geometric mean of each metabolite for each woman as a measure of exposure across gestation. Infants had their NNS sampled using our custom research pacifier between 4-6 (± 2 weeks) weeks of age, yielding the following NNS dependent measures: cycles/burst, frequency, amplitude, bursts/min, and cycles/min. RESULTS Two hundred and eight mother-infant dyads completed this study We used multiple linear regression to assess associations between individual phthalate metabolites and NNS measurements, adjusting for infant sex, birthweight, and urinary specific gravity. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in mono carboxyisononyl phthalate across pregnancy was associated with 3.5% (95%CI: -6.2, -0.8%) lower NNS frequency and 8.9% (0.6, 17.3%) higher NNS amplitude. Similarly, an IQR increase in mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was also associated with 3.4% (-6.5, -0.2%) lower NNS frequency, while an IQR increase in di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate metabolites was associated with 11.2% (2.9, 19.5%) higher NNS amplitude. Gestational exposure to phthalates may alter NNS amplitude and frequency in full-term infants. These findings indicate that the infants may be increasing their NNS amplitude to compensate for their slower NNS frequency. These preliminary findings could have important clinical implications for earlier detection of exposure-related deficits in neurofunction as well as implications for subsequent neurodevelopment and related interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Zimmerman
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gredia Huerta-Montanez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Zaira Rosario Pabon
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Zlatan Feric
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justin Manjourides
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carmen M Velez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Abigail Figueroa
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Morgan Hines
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alaina Martens
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - José Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Akram Alshwabekah
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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9
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Martin-Hadmaș RM, Martin ȘA, Romonți A, Mărginean CO. Anthropometric Development in Children: Possible Changes in Body Mass, Basal Metabolic Rate and Inflammatory Status. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:455. [PMID: 34071431 PMCID: PMC8228989 DOI: 10.3390/children8060455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Worldwide, public health policies focus on studying dietary patterns and the related anthropometric changes in children. Their aim is to improve the measures meant to reduce global malnutrition rates. Our goal was to study the main changes in the inflammatory status related to anthropometric changes and total daily energy intake. (2) Methods: We tested the study hypothesis by analyzing serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels, cholesterol and triglycerides values, as well as total proteins and creatinine levels, RMR, and food journals in a sample of 160 healthy subjects aged between 6 and 12 years old. (3) Results: IL-6 was correlated with the skinfold values. Changes in the skinfolds were significantly correlated with total proteins and triglycerides. Both weight for age and height for age were related to the skinfold values. Through the BMR measurements, peak carbohydrate metabolism changed significantly based upon IL-6 values, which were significantly correlated with the respiratory coefficient values. Based on the basal metabolic rate, an increased IL-8 ratio was related to the RQ value. (4) Conclusions: Skinfolds have been significantly correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 levels. With changes in body weight, we encountered differences in both serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides values, unlike total proteins and creatinine, which failed to change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Maria Martin-Hadmaș
- Department of Community Nutrition and Food Safety, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Târgu Mureș, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Mureș, Romania; (R.M.M.-H.); (A.R.)
| | - Ștefan Adrian Martin
- Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Department of Physiology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Târgu Mureș, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Mureș, Romania
| | - Adela Romonți
- Department of Community Nutrition and Food Safety, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Târgu Mureș, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Mureș, Romania; (R.M.M.-H.); (A.R.)
| | - Cristina Oana Mărginean
- Department of Pediatrics I, “George Emil Palade “University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Târgu Mureș, Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Mureș, Romania;
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