Age at Menarche and Tanner Stage in Girls Exposed In Utero and Postnatally to Polybrominated Biphenyl

Abstract

Accidental contamination of the Michigan food chain with polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) led to the exposure of more than 4,000 individuals in 1973. Because PBB exposure is suspected to disrupt endocrine function, we assessed pubertal development in females 5-24 years of age (N = 327) who were exposed to PBB in utero and, in many cases, through breastfeeding. We estimated in utero PBB exposure using maternal serum PBB measurements taken after exposure (1976-1979) and extrapolated to time of pregnancy using a model of PBB decay. We found that breastfed girls exposed to high levels of PBB in utero (> or =7 parts per billion) had an earlier age at menarche (mean age = 11.6 years) than breastfed girls exposed to lower levels of PBB in utero (mean age = 12.2-12.6 years) or girls who were not breastfed (mean age = 12.7 years). This association persisted after adjustment for potential confounders (menarche ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-9.0). Perinatal PBB exposure was associated with earlier pubic hair stage in breastfed girls, but little association was found with breast development. The associations observed here lend support to the hypothesis that pubertal events may be affected by pre- and postnatal exposure to organohalogens.

Internal exposure to pollutants and sexual maturation in Flemish adolescents

“…Delayed initiation of breast development was found in girls with higher prenatal dioxin exposure . In several other studies, no significant association was found between exposure to persistent chlorinated compounds and timing of puberty, in girls (Blanck et al, 2000;Gladen et al, 2000;Vasiliu et al, 2004) or in boys (Gladen et al, 2000;Mol et al, 2002).…”

Effects of gestational and lactational exposure to heptachlor epoxide on age at puberty and reproductive function in men and women

“…Menarche and pubic hair, but not breast development, appeared earlier in breastfed girls exposed to high polybrominated biphenyl levels in utero, than those with low exposure in utero or those not breastfed (Blanck et al, 2000). Prenatal exposure to persistent organochlorine pollutants via maternal fish consumption was not associated with age at menarche (Axmon, 2006).…”

Some evidence of effects of environmental chemicals on the endocrine system in children

“…Among breast-fed girls, those with higher prenatal exposure to PBB reached menarche at 11.6 years, whereas those with lower PBB exposure did so at 12.2 years. Girls who had been formula fed reached menarche at 12.7 years and their PBB exposure had no effect (Blanck et al, 2000).…”