Intellectual Impairment in Children Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Utero

Jacobson, Joseph L.; Jacobson, Sandra W.

doi:10.1056/nejm199609123351104

Cited by 1,046 publications

(593 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

554

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar effects have previously been reported for certain coplanar and ortho-substituted PCBs (Eriksson and Fredriksson 1996a, 1996bEriksson et al 1991). In addition, effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to PCBs, such as lower gestational age and birth weight (Fein et al 1984;Rylander et al 2000;Taylor et al 1984), delayed development (Guo et al 1994), and intellectual impairment (Jacobson and Jacobson 1996), have been reported in humans.…”

supporting

confidence: 81%

Human prenatal and postnatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorobiphenylols, and pentachlorophenol.

Guvenius

Aronsson

Ekman-Ordeberg

et al. 2003

Environ Health Perspect

327

160

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to determine human prenatal and postnatal exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs (polychlorobiphenylols; OH-PCBs), and pentachlorophenol (PCP). The median PBDE fresh-weight concentrations in maternal and cord blood plasma and in breast milk were 24, 4.3, and 75 pg/g, respectively. The PCB concentrations were approximately 60 times higher in each compartment (1,560, 277, and 4,310 pg/g, respectively). Calculated on a lipid weight basis, the levels were comparable in maternal blood plasma and breast milk. In contrast to PCBs, differences were found between PBDE congener distribution in maternal and cord blood plasma. The OH-PCBs constituted up to 26% of the PCB levels in maternal blood plasma and 53% in cord blood plasma, with levels of 120 and 88 pg/g fresh weight, respectively, and in breast milk 3 pg/g. The corresponding concentrations for PCP were 2,830, 1,960, and 20 pg/g. The ratios of PCB to OH-PCB were 13, 3, and 1,400 in maternal, cord plasma, and breast milk, respectively. It is evident that prenatal exposures occur for all the analytes. Moreover, the exposure continues after birth via breast milk. However, levels of OH-PCBs and PCP in breast milk are low compared with levels in blood plasma. Exposures to both PCBs and PBDEs, and in particular to the endocrine-active halogenated phenolic compounds, are of concern and implicate a potential risk for developmental disturbances.

show abstract

supporting

confidence: 81%

Human prenatal and postnatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorobiphenylols, and pentachlorophenol.

Guvenius

Aronsson

Ekman-Ordeberg

et al. 2003

Environ Health Perspect

327

160

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In Taiwan, pregnant mothers were accidentally exposed to PCBs through the ingestion of contaminated rice oil and neurodevelopmental abnormalities were observed in their offspring (Chen et al 1992). Children born to mothers who ingested PCBcontaminated fish also exhibited neurological impairment (Jacobson and Jacobson 1996). This evidence confirmed the long-term impact of PCBs on cognitive deficits and intellectual dysfunction.…”

Section: Rotating Rod Testmentioning

confidence: 65%

Prenatal Exposure to 3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) Promotes Anxiogenic Behavior in Rats

Orito

Gotanda

Murakami

et al. 2007

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

and FUJIWARA, M. Prenatal Exposure to 3,3′,4,4′, Promotes Anxiogenic Behavior in Rats. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2007, 212 (2), [151][152][153][154][155][156][157] Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental contaminants that have adverse effects on the endocrine and nervous systems. As they are still detected in breast milk and adipose tissue in humans, the accumulated PCBs may transfer from mothers to children and damage central nervous system. It is revealed from epidemiological studies that cognitive and motor functions were damaged in children born to mothers who ingested PCBs-contaminated foods. However, it remains unclear whether prenatal exposure to PCBs affects emotionality. In the present study, we therefore examined the effect of prenatal exposure to 3,3′,4, 4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) on emotionality in rats by focusing on anxiogenic behavior and response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis to stress. Pregnant rats were treated orally with PCB126 at a dose of 30 μ g/kg or corn oil, its vehicle, on gestational day 15, and their male offspring were subjected to the following experiments at 4-5 weeks old. In an open field test, rats with prenatal exposure to PCB126 showed anxiogenic behavioral responses, including decrease in time spent in the center of an open field and the number of rearings and extension of grooming duration. Interactive behavior, which is an index of anxiety level, was shortened in the social interaction test. The increase in the serum corticosterone level induced by forced swim stress was facilitated by prenatal exposure to PCB126. This evidence suggests that PCB126 may exert anxiogenicity on the offspring of exposed dams, and dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis may at least in part contribute to this abnormality.3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126); prenatal exposure; anxiogenic; corticosterone

show abstract

“…Produced in the United States until 1977 (Laden et al, 1999 ), PCBs are highly resistant to degradation, persist in animal and environmental reservoirs, and ascend the food chain, depositing in human tissues. Research suggests that PCB exposure in utero or during infancy is associated with lowered birth weight and gestational age Taylor et al, 1984 ), intellectual impairment (Jacobson and Jacobson, 1996 ), and delayed development (Guo et al, 1994 ) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PCB exposure in utero and via breast milk. A review

Dekoning

Karmaus

2000

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A review of the literature was conducted to investigate the importance to offspring of in utero and breast milk polychlorinated biphenyl ( PCB ) exposure. All reports that we could identify ( n = 25 ) were included, representing 16 study populations. Tissue -specific PCB concentrations in human placenta, breast milk, maternal blood and cord blood were compared to determine accumulation ratios between tissue compartments. On a lipid basis, the highest concentration of PCB in placenta ( 5027 ng / g fat ) was 2.8 times higher than the highest concentration of PCB in breast milk ( 1770 ng / g fat ) . While there are limitations with regard to quantitation methods and statistical methods utilized by the reviewed studies, our results suggest that PCBs may be capable of crossing the placenta to a greater extent than previously believed. Future studies of PCB body burden in the perinatal period should include placenta, breast milk, maternal and cord blood specimens. In order to compare PCB concentrations in various tissues and with other studies, concentrations should be determined on a lipid basis.

show abstract

Intellectual Impairment in Children Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Utero

Abstract: In utero exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in concentrations slightly higher than those in the general population can have a long-term impact on intellectual function.

Cited by 1,046 publications

References 21 publications

Human prenatal and postnatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorobiphenylols, and pentachlorophenol.

Human prenatal and postnatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorobiphenylols, and pentachlorophenol.

Prenatal Exposure to 3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) Promotes Anxiogenic Behavior in Rats

PCB exposure in utero and via breast milk. A review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About