Maternal dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids modifies association between prenatal DDT exposure and child neurodevelopment: A cohort study

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and child neurodevelopment among a population exposed to DDT: a cohort study

“…We previously reported that DDE serum levels and intake of PUFAs interact on child neurodevelopment in children from 42 to 60 months of age in this same cohort, where neurodevelopment was measured using the McCarthy scales [23]. In the present report, no interaction between DDE serum levels and intake of PUFAs was found, a result that may be partially explained by the low predictive validity of neurodevelopmental assessments at early ages [22].…”

“…We found no previous studies that reported a relationship between DPA and neurodevelopment of children younger than 30 months of age. However, in this same cohort, we identified a positive association between maternal DPA intake and the verbal component of the McCarthy scale in children from 42 to 60 months of age [23]. Additionally, in a clinical trial, where mothers were randomized to ingest oils sources of DPA from 18 weeks of gestation to 3 months after delivery, plasma DPA, measured among their children at 4 weeks of age, was positively correlated with children mental development at 4 years of age [24].…”

Maternal Dietary Factors and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Existing Evidence

“…Finally, future work considering the potential role of dietary factors as modifiers of other ASD risk factors, and/or in interaction with genetic factors, is needed. Several studies provide support for interactive effects between nutrients and environmental risk factors on other neurodevelopmental outcomes, including PUFAs and pesticides [Ogaz‐Gonzalez et al, 2018; Schmidt et al, 2017], FA and antiepileptic drugs [Bjork et al, 2018; Veiby et al, 2013; A. G. Wood et al, 2015] FA and smoking [Jiang et al, 2016], and prenatal methyl‐donor nutrient intake (particularly methionine) and air pollution exposure [Stingone et al, 2017], suggesting that sufficient or higher intake of nutrients can mitigate risks and/or that low levels may increase risks from these exposures. For ASD specifically, a few studies have emerged examining joint effects of FA or prenatal vitamin use with environmental exposures, including phthalates [Oulhote et al, 2020; H. M. Shin et al, 2018], air pollution [Goodrich et al, 2018], and pesticides [Schmidt et al, 2017], with several findings supportive of modification.…”

Exposure to DDT and DDE and functional neuroimaging in adolescents from the CHAMACOS cohort

“…Epidemiological studies indicate that prenatal p,p'-DDT and -DDE exposure may have adverse effects on child neurodevelopment (Jurewicz et al 2013). Studies have shown that higher p,p'-DDE concentrations in maternal serum during pregnancy or cord serum were associated with poorer cognitive function, including poorer quantitative, and verbal skills, poorer spatial orientation and memory (Ogaz-González et al 2018;Osorio-Valencia et al 2015;Torres-Sánchez et al 2013, poorer executive function and working memory (Ribas-Fitó et al 2006) and higher odds of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors (Sagiv et al 2010(Sagiv et al , 2012. In the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) cohort, in which the current cohort is set, maternal serum p,p'-DDE concentrations measured during pregnancy were associated with delayed processing speed in 7-year-old children, particularly among girls (Gaspar et al 2015).…”