Bisphenol A exposure and children’s behavior: A systematic review

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical used to synthesize polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Previous research suggests that exposure to it can alter children's behavior. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature, examining associations between prenatal and childhood BPA exposure and behavior in children up to 12 years of age. We searched electronic bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ERIC), reference lists of included articles, and conference abstracts (American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Neurology, Pediatric Academic Societies, and International Society of Environmental Epidemiology). We included original studies reporting on the association between prenatal and childhood BPA exposure that measured BPA metabolites in urine and children's behavioral outcomes. From 2811 citations, 11 articles met our inclusion criteria. Descriptive analyses indicated that prenatal exposure to maternal BPA concentrations were related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, aggression, and hyperactivity in children. BPA exposure in childhood was associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inattention, and conduct problems. Limited observational evidence suggests an association between both prenatal and childhood exposure to BPA and adverse behavioral outcomes in children. Prospective cohort studies are needed to clarify these associations.

Associations between Exposure to Bisphenol A and Behavioral and Cognitive Function in Children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-control Study

“…To overcome this limitation, further longitudinal or quasi-experimental studies are required. In addition, previous studies for the association between BPA exposure and children's behavior have reported differential associations with children's behavior of the prenatal and childhood exposure to BPA [19]. Thus, the longitudinal study including the regular assessments of BPA exposure from prenatal period to childhood is warranted to confirm the present findings.…”

“…However, there were no significant associations between BPA levels and scores on any subscales of the K-ARS or BASC-2 in girls. No previous studies have reported such sex-based differences, although some have identified significant associations between childhood BPA exposure and behavioral problems in both sexes [19].…”

“…BPA is an endocrine-disrupting compound with weak estrogenic properties and potential reproductive and neurodevelopmental effects [18]. Previous studies have reported that exposure to BPA is associated with unfavorable behavioral outcomes in children [19]. For example, several studies have revealed that prenatal BPA exposure is associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal and externalizing symptoms such as hyperactivity and lower emotional control/inhibition in girls [20][21][22].…”

Endocrine Disruption of Vasopressin Systems and Related Behaviors

“…Interactions with diet may explain some of the inconsistencies in the BPA literature regarding effects on brain and behavior (93, 95). Nevertheless, linkages between developmental BPA exposure and an anxiogenic phenotype have repeatedly been shown in dozens of studies using a variety of animal models and human populations (representative examples include (62, 91, 93, 96–100)). Acceptance of this outcome by the risk assessment community has been tentative because the causal mechanism(s) remains unclear (94).…”

Bisphenols as a Legacy Pollutant, and Their Effects on Organ Vulnerability

“…Exposure to bisphenols is associated with several neurological dysfunctions comprising memory and cognitive impairments, including aggression, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, autism, and neuroinflammation. Children are more prone to bisphenol exposure, and even low concentrations (≤100 µM) are toxic to brain development in both prenatal and childhood stage [89,[121][122][123][124][125]. Exposure to BPA in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with sleep-related problems in preschool children [80].…”