Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral domains in children at age 8 years

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2021 Nov-Dec:88:107022. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.107022. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

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.

Keywords: Adaptive skills; Externalizing problems; Internalizing problems; Neurobehavior; Neurodevelopment; Per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / toxicity
  • Birth Cohort
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Female
  • Fluorocarbons / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / physiopathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors*

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Fluorocarbons
  • hexadecafluoro-nonanoic acid