Title
Effects of prenatal PCB and dioxin background exposure on cognitive and motor abilities in Dutch children at school age
Author
Vreugdenhil, H.J.I.
Lanting, C.I.
Mulder, P.G.H.
Boersma, E.R.
Weisglas-Kuperus, N.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
2002
Abstract
Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate whether effects of exposure to environmental levels of PCBs and dioxins on development in the Dutch cohort persist until school age. Study design: In the Dutch PCB/dioxin study, cognitive and motor abilities were assessed with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities in children at school age. During infancy, half of this population was fully breast-fed for at least ≥6 weeks and the other half formula fed. Prenatal exposure to PCBs was defined as the sum of PCB118, 138, 153, and 180 in maternal and cord plasma. In breast milk, additional measurements of 17 dioxins, 6 dioxin-like PCBs, and 20 nondioxin-like PCBs were done. Results: Negative effects of prenatal PCB and dioxin exposure on cognitive and motor abilities were seen when parental and home characteristics were less optimal. These effects were not measurable in children raised in more optimal environments. Concluslons: Neurotoxic effects of prenatal PCB and dioxin exposure may persist into school age, resulting in subtle cognitive and motor developmental delays. More optimal intellectual stimulation provided by a more advantageous parental and home environment may counteract these effects of prenatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins on cognitive and motor abilities. Chemicals/CAS: Dioxins; Environmental Pollutants; Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Subject
Health
Breast feeding
Cognition
Environmental exposure
Intellect
Major clinical study
Maternal blood
Motor performance
Neurotoxicity
Prenatal exposure
Preschool child
Priority journal
School child
Umbilical cord blood
Child
Cognition
Dioxins
Environmental Pollutants
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Motor Skills
Netherlands
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1067/mpd.2002.119625
TNO identifier
236459
ISSN
0022-3476
Source
Journal of Pediatrics, 140 (1), 48-56
Document type
article