Lertxundi, N. 1, 4 , Lertxundi, A. 1, 3, 4 , Fano, E. 1 , Basterrechea, M. 2, 3, 4 , Santa Marina, L. 2, 3, 4 , Begiristain, H. 4 , Arranz, E. 1 , Vegas, O. 1 & Ibarluzea, J. 2, 3, 4
1 University of Basque Country, Spain
2 Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Spain
3 Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
4 Health Research Institute, Biodonostia, San Sebastián, Spain
Background and Aims: Persistent organochlorine compounds (POCs) were widely used in the past. Diet is the major route of exposure to these compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prenatal POC exposure on neurodevelopment. Methods: 489 mothers and their 14-month-old children (www.proyectoinma.org) participated in this study. Data were collected during pregnancy, at birth and at 14 months of age, including: socio-demographic characteristics, medical and reproductive history and diet. Cognitive and psychomotor development of the children was assessed using the Bayley Scales. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides (HCB, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p’-DDE and p,p’-DDT) were measured in maternal serum in the 12th week of gestation. In addition, Hg levels were measured in umbilical cord serum. Multivariate linear regression models were developed to further assess the relationship between COPs and neurodevelopment. Results: We found a significant relationship between level of PCBs and cognitive development β: -6.72 (95% CI: -2.12;-11.32) and psychomotor development β: -7.24 (95% CI: -1.71;-12.77). Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to PCBs may have a negative influence on cognitive and psychomotor development at early stages in children. We believe that it is important to analyse the influence of COPs at older ages using more accurate and reliable instruments.