Prenatal exposure to perfluroalkyl substances and children's IQ: The Taiwan maternal and infant cohort study

Abstract

Background Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of fluorinated organic substances that are widely used in consumer products and are often detectable in human tissues. Human studies on prenatal exposure to PFASs and neurodevelopment in children are few and inconsistent. Methods In the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, we collected serum samples from pregnant women during the third trimester and measured concentrations of 9 PFASs using a high performance liquid chromatography system. A subsample of their children was assessed with full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ) and performance IQ (PIQ) at both age 5 (n = 120) and 8 years (n = 120). We used multivariate linear regression models to examine prenatal PFAS exposure in relation to IQ scores at each age period. Results Prenatal perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) concentrations were inversely associated with children’s PIQ scores at age 5 years, with an adjusted coefficient (β) of −1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]:(−3.0, −0.2). When children reached 8 years, most of the prenatal PFASs showed inverse association with children’s FSIQ, VIQ and PIQ scores. Among them, prenatal perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) reached significance. Children with higher prenatal PFNA levels had lower VIQ with an adjusted of −2.1 (95% CI:−3.9, −0.2). Conclusions We found two prenatal PFAS exposure, both long-chain PFASs, in association with decreased IQ test scores in children. Our findings suggest more studies on long-chain PFASs and children’s neurodevelopment are needed.

Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ether and perfluoroalkyl substance exposures and executive function in school-age children

“…Inconsistent results between studies may be due to differences in neurodevelopmental measures, specific PBDEs and PFASs, and study populations. Our participants were similar with regard to maternal age at delivery as the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, HUMIS Study, DNBC, New York cohort, and the Menorca cohort (Fei et al, 2008; Fei and Olsen, 2011; Forns et al, 2015; Gascon et al, 2011; Herbstman et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2015). However, maternal age at delivery in HOME Study mothers was younger than mothers in the C8 Health Project and somewhat older than mothers in the CHAMACOS Study (Eskenazi et al, 2013; Sagiv et al, 2015; Stein et al, 2013; Stein et al, 2014).…”

“…Null associations were also observed between perinatal PFOS and PFOA measured in breast milk and neuropsychological development in children at 6, 12, and 24 months in the HUMIS study (Forns et al, 2015). However, decrements in IQ were also noted in children ages 5 and 8 years with increased prenatal PFUnDA and PFNA concentrations, respectively (Wang et al, 2015). Among children 6-12 years in the C8 Health Project, protective associations were reported between estimated in utero PFOA and FSIQ and ADHD behavior (Stein et al, 2013).…”

“…In contrast, increases in Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and decreases in ADHD behaviors were reported with prenatal PFOA exposure (Stein et al, 2013). In addition, a recent study reported prenatal perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) were associated with decrements in FSIQin children (Wang et al, 2015). …”

Early-life exposure to EDCs: role in childhood obesity and neurodevelopment

“…Eleven publications from prospective cohorts have examined the relations between prenatal PFAS exposure and cognitive abilities, 165,166 attainment of developmental milestones, 167 parent or teacher reported behaviors and executive function, 64,167–170 psychomotor development, 169 academic achievement, 171 or risk of autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, or cerebral palsy. 172–174 With regard to the most commonly detected PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS), these publications report inconsistent results.…”

Prenatal concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl substances and early communication development in British girls

“…Wang and colleagues found a negative association between prenatal PFNA exposure and verbal intelligence quotient at 8 years of age in the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS) ( n = 120) [31]. In another study, Vuong and colleagues examined the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and executive function at 5 and 8 years of age using data from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study ( n = 256) [32].…”