Effects of prenatal environmental exposure to pesticides on the neurodevelopment of children in the department of Alto Paraná Paraguay at 34-36 months of age

Abstract

ABSTRACT Prenatal exposure to pesticides of different chemical groups is associated with an increased risk of anthropometric, neurological, and neurodevelopmental alterations in children. The paper reports an evaluation of the neurodevelopmental, nutritional, and sensory status of a group of children belonging to birth cohorts with and without prenatal environmental exposure to pesticides, in the department of Alto Paraná, from a previously published study. A prospective observational study was conducted. The neurodevelopmental status was evaluated with the Battelle Developmental Inventory Screening test (BDIST). The sensory status was assessed through an ophthalmological examination and an otoacoustic emissions test. A total of 100 children aged 34 to 36 months, of whom only 50 were exposed to pesticides during the prenatal period, were included in the study. Results showed that 45% of the children studied had neurodevelopmental impairments. The cognitive area was the most affected (56%) and the risk of abnormal neurodevelopment was 5.6 times higher in children who had been prenatally exposed to pesticides than in the unexposed. Malnourished children were 4 times more likely to have an abnormal BDIST result. Results suggest that prenatal pesticide exposure is an important risk factor for lower neurodevelopment in children at 34 to 36 months of age, adjusted for socioeconomic factors.