Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals and problematic child behavior at 3–5 years of age: a Greenlandic cohort study

Abstract

High levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are found in Arctic populations. POP and heavy metals are linked to impaired cognitive development. This study examined associations between prenatal POP and metals exposure and problematic child behavior using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). POPs and metals were measured in 102 pregnant Greenlandic women. During follow-up at 3–5 years, parents answered an assisted questionnaire including children’s SDQ scores. Associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses and adjusted for maternal plasma cotinine, educational level and age at delivery. In the adjusted analyses, the medium tertile of hexachlorobenzene (β = 3.06, p = 0.010), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β = 3.58, p = 0.004) and trans-nonachlor (β = 2.06, p = 0.082) were positively associated with SDQ scores. The continuous cis-nonachlor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.079), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (OR = 1.01, p = 0.077), trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.01, p = 0.091), and sum Organochlorine-Pesticides (OR = 1.00, p = 0.094) were positively associated with abnormal SDQ score and the continuous mirex (OR = 1.28, p = 0.096), oxychlordane (OR = 1.04, p = 0.066), and trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.02, p = 0.071) with abnormal hyperactivity score. We found no consistent evidence of associations between polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkylated substances and heavy metals and problematic behavior. Prenatal organochlorine pesticide exposure associated significantly with problematic behavior in 3–5 year old children.

Prenatal metals exposure and pre-adolescents’ emotional and behavioral problems

“…Similarly, in a Chinese study, maternal blood Cd concentrations were negatively associated with the social domain among 12 months old children (n = 300) (Wang et al 2016). Contrarily, Cd measured in maternal blood did not correlate with problematic behavior among 3-5 years old children from Greenland (n = 102) (Kornvig et al 2021). In a smaller study conducted on pregnant women of Arab-Bedouin origin (Karakis et al 2021), a link was observed between maternal concentrations of several metals, including Li, Co, Ni, Sr, V, As, Mo, and Cd and behavioral outcomes in the children at an age of 6 years (n = 111).…”

Association of Prenatal Dietary Toxicants and Inorganic Arsenic Exposure with Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Problems: ECLIPSES Study

“…Additionally, prenatal serum PCBs were positively associated with abnormal scores for hyperactivity [37]. In contrast, earlier research found no links between prenatal exposure of PCBs and emotional or behavioral problems among children [16,38]. Meanwhile, it also has been demonstrated that prenatal dietary exposure to dioxins during pregnancy is not associated ADHD symptoms [39].…”

“…For instance, some studies have presented that prenatal exposure to metals is associated with autism, emotional control, hyperactivity/inattention, and depression among children [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, researchers have also found that the association between prenatal metal exposure and autism is null [ 15 ] and the associations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals with behavioral problems are inconsistent [ 16 ].…”