Prenatal Exposure to Persistent Organochlorines and Childhood Obesity in the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project

Abstract

Background: In some previous studies, prenatal exposure to persistent organochlorines such as 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p´-DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has been associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in children.Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the association of maternal serum levels of β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), p,p´-DDE, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p´-DDT), dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, HCB, trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and PCBs with offspring obesity during childhood.Methods: The analysis was based on a subsample of 1,915 children followed until 7 years of age as part of the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP). The CPP enrolled pregnant women in 1959–1965; exposure levels were measured in third-trimester maternal serum that was collected before these organochlorines were banned in the United States. Childhood overweight and obesity were defined using age- and sex-specific cut points for BMI as recommended by the International Obesity Task Force.Results: Adjusted results did not show clear evidence for an association between organochlorine exposure and obesity; however, a suggestive finding emerged for dieldrin. Compared with those in the lowest quintile (dieldrin, < 0.57 μg/L), odds of obesity were 3.6 (95% CI: 1.3, 10.5) for the fourth and 2.3 (95% CI: 0.8, 7.1) for the highest quintile. Overweight and BMI were unrelated to organochlorine exposure.Conclusions: In this population with relatively high levels of exposure to organochlorines, no clear associations with obesity or BMI emerged.Citation: Cupul-Uicab LA, Klebanoff MA, Brock JW, Longnecker MP. 2013. Prenatal exposure to persistent organochlorines and childhood obesity in the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project. Environ Health Perspect 121:1103–1109; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205901

Adipose Tissue as a Site of Toxin Accumulation

“…However, a study investigating early exposure to HCB in 8–22 year olds found no association between HCB exposure and obesity (384). Furthermore, there were 4 studies that found no association between prenatal HCB and BMI (265) (90), obesity (90), birth weight (248), or waist circumference (101). One study found that exposure to HCB in 14–15 year olds decreased BMI.…”

“…Three studies investigating the effect of prenatal exposure to HCH failed to support an association between HCH and BMI (265) (90), obesity (90), or birth weight (248). However, conflicting associations were found when studying early exposure to HCH and obesity.…”

“…A study investigating OC pesticides found no association between prenatal trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane and obesity or BMI at 7 years (90). However, the same study did find a positive association between prenatal dieldrin exposure and obesity but no association with BMI.…”

Biomarkers Linking PCB Exposure and Obesity.

“…Studies supporting the association between the development of metabolic diseases and PCBs exposures are growing [89]. Early life exposure ( in utero ) to these compounds have shown to develop metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and glucose intolerance and were having close association with obesity [79, 90–100]. Associations between overweight and PCB concentrations were stronger in girls compared to boys [101].…”

Perinatal exposure to chlordecone and infant growth

“…Similar studies investigating other organochlorine chemicals with hormonal activities have reported an increase in BMI or risk of overweight associated with prenatal DDT/ DDE exposure at different ages (from 14 months to 6.5 years) (Mendez et al, 2011;Valvi et al, 2014Valvi et al, , 2012Verhulst et al, 2009). However, one study reported a decrease in BMI (de Cock et al, 2014a(de Cock et al, , 2014b and several reported an absence of association (Cupul-Uicab et al, 2013;Garced et al, 2012;Gladen et al, 2004;Warner et al, 2013). Reported associations between prenatal exposure to PCBs and BMI at different ages, from three to seven years, were inconsistent (Dallaire et al, 2014;Tang-Péronard et al, 2014;Valvi et al, 2012;Verhulst et al, 2009).…”