Abstract
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) flame retardants are environmental chemicals that cross the placenta during pregnancy and have shown evidence of neurotoxicity. As the in utero period is a sensitive developmental window, such exposure may result in adverse childhood outcomes. Associations between in utero PBDE exposure and neurodevelopment are found in animal models and increasingly in human population studies. Here, we review the epidemiological evidence of the association between prenatal exposure to PBDEs and motor, cognitive, and behavioral development in infants and children. Published work suggests a negative association between PBDE concentrations and neurodevelopment despite varying PBDE congeners measured, bio-specimen matrix used, timing of the biological sampling, geographic location of study population, specific developmental tests used, age of children at time of testing, and statistical methodologies. This review includes 16 published studies that measured PBDE exposure in maternal blood during pregnancy or in cord blood at delivery and performed validated motor, cognitive, and/or behavioral testing at one or more time during childhood. We evaluate possible mediation through PBDE-induced perturbations in thyroid function and effect measure modification by child sex. While the majority of studies support an adverse association between PBDEs and neurodevelopment, additional research is required to understand the mechanism of action, possibly through the perturbations in thyroid function either in the pregnant woman or in the child, and the role of biologically relevant effect modifiers such as sex.
Highlights
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are a group of man-made chemical compounds with flame resistant properties that are applied to furniture, plastics, electronics, paints, textiles, and construction materials
While other reviews have looked at isolated neurodevelopmental domains with respect to PBDE exposure, during childhood [5,6], the present review aims to provide a report of the current literature regarding the effects of prenatal PBDE exposure on
This systematic review of 16 published papers on the subject of PBDEs and child neurodevelopment suggests a negative association between the presence of these chemicals in maternal and cord blood and motor, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes in children
Summary
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are a group of man-made chemical compounds with flame resistant properties that are applied to furniture, plastics, electronics, paints, textiles, and construction materials. These compounds are released into the environment, as they are not covalently bound to other materials. PBDEs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), with lipophilic properties that allow accumulation in lipid-rich tissues This bioaccumulation is of particular concern with regard to multiple outcomes over the life course, as PBDEs have been associated with both endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity [1,2,3,4]. Public Health 2018, 15, 1636; doi:10.3390/ijerph15081636 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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