Prenatal Bisphenol A Exposure and Early Childhood Behavior and Cognitive Function: A Chinese Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Biomonitoring of bisphenol A (BPA) in human blood is still scarce, although already noticeable. We aimed to examine the associations between prenatal serum BPA concentrations and behavior and cognitive function in preschool children. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 1,782 mother-child pairs with complete demographic information, blood samples, and psychological measurements were included from the China-Anhui Birth Cohort (C-ABCS). We detected serum BPA concentrations and assessed children’s neurodevelopment using a set of psychometric scales. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median prenatal maternal serum BPA concentration was 0.23 (P<sub>25</sub>, P<sub>75</sub>: 0.07, 0.52) ng/mL, with a detection frequency of 85.19%. Compared with the girls with the lowest concentrations, those with highest BPA concentrations had increased risks of inhibitory self-control impairment [relative risk (RR) = 3.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53, 7.58], emergent metacognition impairment (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.78), conduct problem (RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.39), peer relationship problem (RR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.33, 4.47), higher total difficulties score (RR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.67), and higher impact factor score (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.05), while the boys with the highest prenatal BPA concentrations had an increased risk of conduct problem compared with those with the lowest concentrations (RR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.24) (<i>P</i>-interaction = 0.011). After stratification by age, high prenatal BPA concentrations were associated with increased ADHD (RR = 4.44, 95% CI: 1.54, 10.85) among children aged 3 years, not among children aged 4 years. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study revealed the sex-specific and age-specific impacts of prenatal BPA exposure on preschool children’s cognitive and behavioral development.

No Differences in Urine Bisphenol A Concentrations between Subjects Categorized with Normal Cognitive Function and Mild Cognitive Impairment Based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scores

“…This is the first study that compared BPA levels between NCF and MCI participants. Previous studies that assessed the effect of BPA on cognition focused on the assessment of the impact of maternal exposure on foetus neurodevelopment or evaluated the effect of BPA exposure in children [22,50,51]. Braun et al [51] observed that prenatal BPA exposure had a more negative effect on cognitive function in boys than in girls.…”

“…Similarly, Rodríguez-Carrillo et al [50] showed that BPA concentrations standardised to creatinine levels were associated with a higher risk of poorer working memory scores in school-age boys. Huang et al [22] discovered the different effects of maternal BPA exposure in girls and boys. Higher BPA levels in girls were associated with enhanced dangers of self-control inhibition, developing metacognition issues, behavioural challenges, difficulties in peer relationships, elevated total difficulties score, and increased impact factor score, whereas higher prenatal BPA levels in boys increased the risk of behavioural problems.…”

“…Animal studies showed that BPA could impair certain brain functions, including memory and learning [19][20][21]. Moreover, prenatal BPA exposure has been linked to neurobehavioral challenges in children [22,23], with maternal exposure affecting brain regions such as the postcentral gyrus, the opercular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, and the superior occipital gyrus [24]. However, there is a lack of studies assessing BPA levels in individuals with and without cognitive impairments.…”

Association between pre- and postnatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes: an extensive review

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that pre-and postnatal BPA exposure may increase neurobehavioral problems such as anxiety, depression, self-control issues, metacognitive dysfunction, aggression, emotional dysregulation, impaired peer relationships, social-communication disorders, and internalizing and externalizing problems in children. 140,143,[145][146][147][148][149][150][151] Although BPA exposure has potential adverse effects on children's intelligence and behavioral development, the results of these studies differed according to child sex and age. 143) Previous studies reported epidemiological evidence of an association between maternal BPA exposure and ASD.…”

Effect of bisphenol A on the neurological system: a review update

“…As a result, boys with the highest prenatal BPA concentrations showed an increase in conduct problems, while girls had behavioural and relationship problems. Therefore, high prenatal BPA concentrations have been shown to have a relationship with increased ADHD (Huang et al 2022b ). This association was also analysed in uterus exposure but no associations between BPA exposure and ADHD were observed (Hansen et al 2021 ).…”