Association Of Early-life Exposure Research Articles

Association of early life exposure to cold and heat with brain white matter microstructure at age 9-12 years

Association of early life exposure to cold and heat with brain white matter microstructure at age 9-12 years

Exposure to dust organophosphate and replacement brominated flame retardants during infancy and risk of subsequent adverse respiratory outcomes

BackgroundChildren are highly exposed to flame retardants in indoor environments, partly through inhalation. However, the associations of early life exposure to novel organophosphate (OPFRs) and replacement brominated flame retardants (RBFRs) with adverse respiratory outcomes during childhood are unclear. MethodsWe used a prospective birth cohort of 234 children recruited from the greater Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area between 2003 and 2006. OPFRs and RBFRs were analyzed in dust sampled from the homes' main activity room and the children's bedroom floor at child age 1 year. Caregivers reported subsequent respiratory symptoms every six months until child age 5 years and we measured forced expiratory volume in 1 s as well as peak expiratory flow (PEF) at child age 5 years. We performed generalized estimating equations and linear regression modeling adjusted for covariates to examine the exposure-outcome associations. ResultsGeometric means (GMs) (standard error [SE]) for dust concentrations were 10.27 (0.63) μg/g for total OPFRs (ΣOPFRs) and 0.48 (0.04) μg/g for total RBFRs (ΣRBFRs); GMs (SE) for dust loadings were 2.82 (0.26) μg/m2 for ΣOPFRs and 0.13 (0.01) μg/m2 for ΣRBFRs. Dust ∑OPFRs concentrations at age 1 year were associated with higher subsequent risks of wheezing (relative risk [RR]: 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–2.34), respiratory infections (RR: 4.01, 95% CI: 1.95–8.24), and hay fever/allergies (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10–1.60), whereas ∑OPFRs dust loadings at age 1 year were associated with higher risks of subsequent respiratory infections (RR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.05–3.34) and hay fever/allergies (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.19–1.51). PEF (mL/min) was lower with higher ∑OPFRs dust loadings (β: -12.10, 95% CI: -21.10, −3.10) and with the RBFR bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (β: -9.05, 95% CI: -17.67, −0.43). ConclusionsExposure to OPFRs and RBFRs during infancy may be a risk factor for adverse respiratory outcomes during childhood.

Associations of early-life exposures and socioeconomic status with cognitive development at preadolescence.

The long-term relations of socioeconomic status (SES) and early-life exposures with cognitive development at preadolescence are not fully understood, especially in low SES populations. We examined associations of SES and early-life exposures including feeding practices, physical growth and infections with cognitive development among preadolescents from underprivileged communities. A prospective study was conducted among 146 healthy children from two relatively low SES Arab villages in Israel, who were recruited at age 1-9 weeks and followed until age 18 months. Information was obtained on their feeding practices, health status and growth indicators. Cognitive development at age 10-12 years was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, including the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and scores of four cognitive domains. Multiple linear regression models were performed. Nearly all the children (98%) were breastfed in infancy. Bivariate correlations were found of SES, growth indices and rates of diarrheal and respiratory illnesses in infancy, but not of feeding practices, with cognitive scores. In multivariable models, SES was positively (p<0.001) associated with all the cognitive domains (beta coefficient ranges 4.3 to 8.2). Birthweight was positively associated with FSIQ (p=0.039) and the perceptual reasoning index (p=0.002). Weight for age Z score at age 10-14 months was positively associated with the verbal comprehension index (p=0.003). The rate of respiratory illnesses was negatively associated with the perceptual reasoning index (p=0.05). SES is strongly associated with cognitive development even in relatively low SES communities. Birthweight, weight indicators and respiratory illness in infancy might affect cognitive development through preadolescence.

Early life exposures are associated with appetitive traits in infancy: findings from the BiTwin cohort.

To determine the stability of appetitive traits during infancy and their association with early life exposures. Participants were from the BiTwin birth cohort (longitudinal study of Portuguese infants). Appetitive traits at 3months were measured using the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (n = 347) and at 12months with the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire for toddlers (n = 325). Stability was assessed with multi-level models. The association of early life exposures (weight for gestational age, mode of feeding, prematurity, smoking during pregnancy, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and diabetes mellitus diagnosis) with infant appetitive traits was estimated by multivariable linear regression models. Appetite traits showed limited stability (ICCs: 0.25-0.34). Associations with early life exposures varied by age. At 3months, infants of mothers with higher pre-pregnancy BMI and excessive gestational weight gain had low Satiety Responsiveness. In contrast, infants small for gestational age scored high in this trait (β̂ = 0.241; 95% CI 0.056-0.425). Exclusively formula-fed infants presented weak food approach traits at this age, namely low Enjoyment of Food (β̂ = -0.145; 95% CI -0.270 to -0.019) and Food Responsiveness (β̂ = -0.415; 95% CI -0.618 to -0.212). At 12months, infants who were small for gestational age had low Food Responsiveness (β̂ = -0.297; 95% CI -0.523 to -0.072), in contrast, infants of mothers who gained excessive gestational weight had high scores in this trait. Formula feeding was related to rapid eating (Slowness in Eating: β̂ = -0.252; 95% CI 0.451 to -0.054). Early life exposures may play a role in the development of infants' appetitive traits, which then change during the first year of life. Interventions focussed on maternal and infant health may have the potential to shape appetite in infancy.

Association between famine exposure in early life and risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adulthood.

BackgroundFew studies have reported the association of early life exposure to famine with the risk of heart failure. The current study aimed to investigate whether exposure to famine in early life is associated with a higher risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adulthood.MethodsWe used data from participants included in the sub-cohort of the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Million Persons Project in Guangdong Province. Specific years of birth were used to define the famine-exposed group (born during the famine of 1959–1962), the pre-famine group (born before the famine [1954–1957], and the post-famine group (born after the famine [1964–1967]). Multivariable-adjusted generalized linear models were used to examine the associations of early life famine exposure with the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.ResultsA total of 36,212 participants were enrolled in this analysis with a median age of 57.4 years and 37.5% of them were men. Compared with the post-famine group, famine births and pre-famine births were associated with increased risk of heart failure (OR: 1.96 [1.56–2.48] and OR: 1.62 [1.07–2.47], respectively). When compared with the age-balanced non-exposed group, the famine-exposed group was also significantly associated with increased risk of heart failure (OR: 1.32 [1.11–1.57]). The associations were stronger in participants with better economic status and in participants with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia (P for interaction < 0.05).ConclusionEarly life exposure to the Chinese famine is associated with an elevated risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adulthood.

Early-Life Exposure to Malnutrition From the Chinese Famine on Risk of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Adulthood.

ObjectivesIntrauterine malnutrition has a long-term effect on respiratory and lung function. However, few studies have explored the association between early-life exposure to famine with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of early-life exposure to the Chinese famine of 1959–1962 with asthma and COPD later in life.MethodsThis national population-based study included 6,771 participants from the baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) who were born around the time of the Chinese famine. The famine exposure groups were determined according to the participants' birth year as non-exposed (1964–1967), fetal-exposed (1959–1962), preschool-exposed (1954–1957), and school-age exposed (1950–1953). Information about the demographic characteristics, self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma and COPD, behavior and lifestyles, and indoor pollution were collected using validated questionnaires. In addition, peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured to assess pulmonary function. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models were performed to explore the risk of adult asthma and COPD, PEF changes during various famine exposure periods compared with the non-exposed group. Stratified and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the modification and robustness of the association.ResultsThe prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma and COPD was 2.8 and 8.1%, respectively. Compared with the non-exposed group, the risk was significantly higher in the fetal-exposed group for asthma [adjusted odds ratio, (aOR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.14–3.07] and the school-age exposed group [1.30 (1.00–1.69)] for COPD after controlling for confounders. Furthermore, we observed that fetal exposure to famine was significantly associated with a decrement of PEF in adulthood [β = −11.38 (−22.75 to −0.02)] compared with the non-exposed group. Stratified analyses showed that the association of asthma was stronger in men, who resided in severely famine-affected areas, smoked, and used solid fuels for cooking. No clearly consistent association was observed for subsequent COPD.ConclusionsOur results suggest that fetal exposure to the Chinese famine is significantly associated with the increased risk of asthma in adulthood. Future prospective studies are warranted to examine the association and mechanisms.

Association of Early Life Exposure to Antibiotics With Risk of Atopic Dermatitis in Sweden

Atopic dermatitis is associated with substantial morbidity in childhood. Further understanding of the underlying factors contributing to its onset is needed. To assess the association of exposure to antibiotics in the prenatal period and early childhood with risk of atopic dermatitis in a nationwide population in Sweden. This Swedish nationwide, register-based, prospective cohort study used data on mother-child pairs from the Swedish Medical Birth Register linked to other national registers for information on health, socioeconomic, and demographic data. Participants were followed up until an atopic dermatitis outcome, emigration, death, or the end of the study on December 31, 2015. Data for all singleton children and discordant siblings born between March 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010, were included. Data were analyzed from June 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020. Maternal exposure to systemic antibiotics during pregnancy as well as the child's exposure to systemic antibiotics during the first year of life, as defined by a dispensed prescription in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Time-to-event analyses were used to estimate the risk of outcome using attained age as a time scale. Atopic dermatitis was defined based on diagnoses in the National Patient Register and medication listed in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Sibling-control analysis was performed to account for shared familial factors. Among the 722 767 singleton children, the mean (SD) age was 5.8 (2.4) years and 351 589 (48.6%) were female. During the follow-up period, 153 407 children (21.2%) were exposed to antibiotics in utero and 172 405 children (23.8%) were exposed during the first year of life. The risk of atopic dermatitis among children exposed to prenatal antibiotics was greater than that among children who were not exposed (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.09-1.12). In the sibling-control analysis, no association was observed (aHR, 0.96; 95% CI; 0.92-1.00). Exposure to antibiotics during the first year of life was associated with a greater risk of atopic dermatitis (aHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.50-1.55), with attenuated associations in the sibling-control analysis (aHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.20-1.29). In this cohort study, exposure to antibiotics in early life was associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis in the general Swedish population, but this risk was partially confounded by familial factors. Research on the ways in which antibiotic use and other shared familial factors affect other atopic diseases may be warranted.

A longitudinal study of rural Bangladeshi children with long-term arsenic and cadmium exposures and biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases.

There is growing interest in understanding the contribution of environmental toxicant exposure in early life to development of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in adulthood. We aimed to assess associations of early life exposure to arsenic and cadmium with biomarkers of CMD in children in rural Bangladesh. From a longitudinal mother-child cohort in Matlab, Bangladesh, we followed up 540 pairs. Exposure to arsenic (U-As) and cadmium (U-Cd) was assessed by concentrations in urine from mothers at gestational week 8 (GW8) and children at ages 4.5 and 9 years. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were measured at 4.5 and 9 years. Metabolic markers (lipids, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, adipokines, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined in plasma/blood of 9 years old children. In linear regression models, adjusted for child sex, age, height-for-age z score (HAZ), BMI-for-age z score (BAZ), socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal education, each doubling of maternal and early childhood U-Cd was associated with 0.73 and 0.82mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) respectively. Both early and concurrent childhood U-Cd was associated with diastolic (D)BP (β=0.80at 4.5 years; β=0.75at 9 years). Each doubling of U-Cd at 9 years was associated with decrements of 4.98mg/dL of total cholesterol (TC), 1.75mg/dL high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 3.85mg/dL low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 0.43mg/dL glucose and 4.29 units eGFR. Each doubling of maternal U-Cd was associated with a decrement of 1.23mg/dL HDL. Both maternal and childhood U-As were associated with decrement in TC and HDL. Multiple comparisons were checked with family-wise error rate Bonferroni-type-approach. The negative associations of arsenic and cadmium with biomarkers of CMD in preadolescent children indicated influence of both metal(loid)s on fat and carbohydrate metabolism, while cadmium additionally influenced kidney function and BP. Thus, fewer outcomes were associated with U-As compared to U-Cd at preadolescence.

Abstract P110: Early-Life Exposure to Severe Famine is Associated With Higher Methylation Level in the IGF2 Gene and Higher Total Cholesterol in Late Adulthood: The Genomic Research of the Chinese Great Famine (GRECF) Study

Objective: To evaluate association of early-life exposure to the Chinese Great Famine (1959-1961) with DNA methylation in IGF2 , a gene involved in growth and development, and its subsequent influence on blood lipid levels in late adulthood among participants of the Genomic Research of the Chinese Great Famine (GRECF) study. Methods: The GRECF study recruited 790 participants born between 1956 and 1964 from two neighbor provinces, Anhui and Jiangxi, in China through a multistage, clustered, random sampling. Historically, famine was severe in Anhui and moderate in Jiangxi. Besides individuals born in Anhui province, those who were born during or before the Chinese Great Famine in Jiangxi province and reported having siblings starved to death were also categorized as having severe famine exposure; All other participants born in Jiangxi province were considered as having moderate famine exposure. DNA methylation within the IGF2 gene locus were assayed using the Sequenom’s MassARRAY system among a random sample of 188 participants. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assayed using enzymatic colormetric tests. Triglycerides was calculated using the Friedman formula and was logarithmically transformed for analyses. Multivariate linear regressions were used to evaluate associations of famine severity with lipids, famine severity with DNA methylation in the IGF2 , and DNA methylation in the IGF2 with lipids, respectively, controlling for sex in the base model and additionally controlling for age, education, smoking, and drinking in the fully adjusted model. Mediation analysis was applied to assess the mediation effect of DNA methylation at the IGF2 gene on the association between early-life exposure to severe famine and adult lipids levels. Results: DNA methylation was quantified at 8 cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides (CpG) sites in the IGF2 gene. Exposure to severe famine was associated with higher methylation level at one site of the IGF2 gene (CpG1: β =0.07, P =5.00х10 -4 ) and increased levels of TC ( β =0.85; P =9.30х10 -7 ). Furthermore, per unit increase in methylation of the CpG1 site was associated with 1.13-unit increase in TC ( P =0.02). After further adjustment for all covariates, these associations were still significant ( P famine-CpG1 =0.03; P famine-TC =7.55х10 -6 ; P CpG1-TC = 0.05). Methylation of the CpG1 site mediated 6% ( P =0.18) of the association between exposure to the severe Chinese Great Famine and adult TC. Conclusion: Increased methylation level in the IGF2 gene may be a consequence of early-life exposure to severe famine during the Chinese Great Famine and this change was also positively associated with TC in late adulthood.

Association of Early Life Exposure to Phthalates With Obesity and Cardiometabolic Traits in Childhood: Sex Specific Associations.

Few studies have investigated longitudinal associations between early life phthalate exposure and subsequent obesity and cardiovascular risks in children with inconsistent results. We aimed to evaluate the associations between phthalate exposure during gestation and childhood with offspring obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in 500 mother-child pairs from the Rhea pregnancy cohort in Crete, Greece. Seven phthalate metabolites [monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP)] were quantified in spot urine samples collected from mothers (1st trimester) and their children at 4 years of age. We calculated the molar sum of DEHP metabolites (MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP). We measured child weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thicknesses, blood pressure (BP), and lipids at 4 and 6 years and leptin, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein at 4 years. We used generalized estimating equations to examine associations at each age and tested for interaction by sex. Child exposure to phthalate metabolites was associated with lower BMI z-scores in boys and higher BMI z-scores in girls. Each 10-fold increase in ΣDEHP was associated with a change in waist circumference of −2.6 cm (95% CI: −4.72, −0.48) in boys vs. 2.14 cm (95% CI: −0.14, 4.43) in girls (p-sex interaction = 0.003) and a change in waist-to-height ratio of −0.01 (95% CI: −0.03, 0.01) in boys vs. 0.02 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.04) in girls (p-sex interaction = 0.006). Phthalate metabolite concentrations at age 4 were negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. MEP was associated with lower systolic BP z-scores (adj. β = −0.22; 95% CI: −0.36, −0.08) at 4 years. MnBP and MBzP were associated with lower diastolic BP z-scores (adj. β = −0.13; 95%CI: −0.23, −0.04, and adj. β = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.21, −0.01, respectively). A 10-fold increase in MiBP was associated with 4.4% higher total cholesterol levels (95% CI: 0.2, 8.7). Prenatal phthalate exposure was not consistently associated with child adiposity and cardiometabolic measures. Our findings suggest that early life phthalate exposure may affect child growth and adiposity in a sex-specific manner and depends on the timing of exposure.

Lifetime exposure to ambient air pollution and methylation of tumor suppressor genes in breast tumors

BackgroundWe previously reported increased risk of breast cancer associated with early life exposure to two measures of air pollution exposure, total suspended particulates (TSP) and traffic emissions (TE), possible proxies for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Exposure to PAHs has been shown to be associated with aberrant patterns of DNA methylation in peripheral blood of healthy individuals. Exposure to PAHs and methylation in breast tumor tissue has received little attention. We examined the association of early life exposure to TSP and TE with patterns of DNA methylation in breast tumors. MethodsWe conducted a study of women enrolled in the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study. Methylation of nine genes (SFN, SCGB3A1, RARB, GSTP1, CDKN2A CCND2, BRCA1, FHIT, and SYK) was assessed using bisulfite-based pyrosequencing. TSP exposure at each woman's home address at birth, menarche, and when she had her first child was estimated. TE exposure was modeled for each woman's residence at menarche, her first birth, and twenty and ten years prior to diagnosis. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate odds ratios (OR) of having methylation greater than the median value, adjusting for age, secondhand smoke exposure before age 20, current smoking status, and estrogen receptor status. ResultsExposure to higher TSP at a woman's first birth was associated with lower methylation of SCGB3A1 (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23–0.99) and higher methylation of SYK (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.03–3.35). TE at menarche was associated with increased methylation of SYK (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05–5.33). TE at first birth and ten years prior to diagnosis was associated with decreased methylation of CCND2 (OR ten years prior to diagnosis=0.48, 95% CI: 0.26–0.89). Although these associations were nominally significant, none were significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (p < 0.01). ConclusionsWe observed suggestive evidence that exposure to ambient air pollution throughout life, measured as TSP and TE, may be associated with DNA methylation of some tumor suppressor genes in breast tumor tissue. Future studies with a larger sample size that assess methylation of more sites are warranted.

Early life exposure to traffic-related air pollution and allergic rhinitis in preschool children

BackgroundEvidence linking long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution with allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is scare, and the role of components of air pollution and timing of exposure remains unclear. ObjectiveTo assess the association of pre- and post-natal exposure to air pollution with life-time prevalence of AR in preschool children. MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of 2598 children aged 3–6 years in Changsha, China. The lifetime prevalence of AR was assessed by a questionnaire administered by parents. Children's exposures to dioxide nitrogen (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) during different pre- and post-natal timing windows were estimated using the measured concentrations at monitoring stations. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of childhood AR for exposure to different air pollutants during different timing windows were assessed by logistic regression model in terms of an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure level. ResultsLife-time prevalence of AR in preschool children (7.3%) was associated with both pre- and post-natal exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), but only significant during the third trimester of pregnancy with adjusted OR = 1.40 (95% CI: 1.08–1.82) for a 15 μg/m3 increase in NO2 and during the first-year of life with adjusted OR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.03–1.78) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.07–2.21) respectively for 11 and 12 μg/m3 increase in NO2 and PM10. The association of early life exposure to TRAP with childhood AR was robust by adjusting for other air pollutants and timing windows. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the association was higher in the children who are male, young, with genetic predisposition by parental atopy, and living in damp houses. ConclusionEarly life exposure to traffic-related air pollutant during pregnancy and first-year of life may contribute to childhood AR.

Association of early life exposure to tree pollen with the development of allergic sensitization, asthma, wheeze, and rhinitis in the New York City Neighborhood Allergy and Asthma Study

Background: Urban trees provide numerous ecological, social, and public health benefits. However, recent evidence suggests that urban trees may also increase respiratory morbidity by increasing exp...

Associations of Early Life Exposures and Environmental Factors with Asthma Among Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Guangdong, China

Associations of Early Life Exposures and Environmental Factors with Asthma Among Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Guangdong, China

Early Life Origins of Lung Ageing: Early Life Exposures and Lung Function Decline in Adulthood in Two European Cohorts Aged 28-73 Years

ObjectivesEarly life environment is essential for lung growth and maximally attained lung function. Whether early life exposures impact on lung function decline in adulthood, an indicator of lung ageing, has scarcely been studied.MethodsSpirometry data from two time points (follow-up time 9–11 years) and information on early life exposures, health and life-style were available from 12862 persons aged 28–73 years participating in the European population-based cohorts SAPALDIA (n = 5705) and ECRHS (n = 7157). The associations of early life exposures with lung function (FEV1) decline were analysed using mixed-effects linear regression.ResultsEarly life exposures were significantly associated with FEV1 decline, with estimates almost as large as personal smoking. FEV1 declined more rapidly among subjects born during the winter season (adjusted difference in FEV1/year of follow-up [95%CI] -2.04ml [-3.29;-0.80]), of older mothers, (-1.82 ml [-3.14;-0.49]) of smoking mothers (-1.82ml [-3.30;-0.34] or with younger siblings (-2.61ml [-3.85;-1.38]). Less rapid FEV1-decline was found in subjects who had attended daycare (3.98ml [2.78;5.18]), and indicated in subjects with pets in childhood (0.97ml [-0.16;2.09]). High maternal age and maternal smoking appeared to potentiate effects of personal smoking. The effects were independent of asthma at any age.ConclusionEarly life factors predicted lung function decline decades later, suggesting that some mechanisms related lung ageing may be established early in life. Early life programming of susceptibility to adult insults could be a possible pathway that should be explored further.

Association of early life exposure to bisphenol A with obesity and cardiometabolic traits in childhood

BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used extensively worldwide in the manufacture of plastic polymers. The environmental obesogen hypothesis suggests that early life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as BPA may increase the risk for wt gain later in childhood but few prospective epidemiological studies have investigated this relationship. ObjectivesWe examined the association of early life BPA exposure with offspring obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in 500 mother-child pairs from the RHEA pregnancy cohort in Crete, Greece. MethodsBPA concentrations were measured in spot urine samples collected at the 1st trimester of pregnancy) and from children at 2.5 and 4 years of age. We measured birth wt, body mass index (BMI) from 6 months to 4 years of age, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, serum lipids, C-reactive protein, and adipokines at 4 years of age. BMI growth trajectories from birth to 4 years were estimated by mixed effects models with fractional polynomials of age. Adjusted associations were obtained via multivariable regression analyses. ResultsThe prevalence of overweight/obesity was 9% at 2, 13% at 3% and 17% at 4 years of age. Geometric mean BPA concentrations were 1.2μg/g creatinine±7.9 in 1st trimester, 5.1μg/g±13.3 in 2.5 years and 1.9μg/g±4.9 in 4 years. After confounder adjustment, each 10-fold increase in BPA at 4 years was associated with a higher BMI z-score (adj. β=0.2; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.4), waist circumference (adj. β=1.2; 95% CI: 0.1, 2.2) and sum of skinfold thickness (adj. β=3.7mm; 95% CI: 0.7, 6.7) at 4 years. Prenatal BPA was negatively associated with BMI and adiposity measures in girls and positively in boys. We found no associations of early life exposure to BPA with other offspring cardiometabolic risk factors. ConclusionsPrenatal BPA exposure was not consistently associated with offspring growth and adiposity measures but higher early childhood BPA was associated with excess child adiposity.

Associations of Early Life Exposures and Environmental Factors With Asthma Among Children in Rural and Urban Areas of Guangdong, China.

Environmental factors may play important roles in asthma, but findings have been inconsistent. The goal of this study was to determine the associations between early life exposures, environmental factors, and asthma in urban and rural children in southeast China. A screening questionnaire survey was conducted in 7,164 children from urban Guangzhou and 6,087 from rural Conghua. In the second stage, subsamples of 854 children (419 from Guangzhou, 435 from Conghua) were recruited for a case-control study that included a detailed questionnaire enquiring on family history, early life environmental exposures, dietary habits, and laboratory tests (including histamine airway provocation testing, skin prick tests, and serum antibody analyses). House dust samples from 76 Guangzhou families and 80 Conghua families were obtained to analyze levels of endotoxins, house dust mites, and cockroach allergens. According to the screening survey, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was lower in children from Conghua (3.4%) than in those from Guangzhou (6.9%) (P < .001). A lower percentage of asthma was reported in rural subjects compared with urban subjects (2.8% vs. 29.4%; P < .001) in the case-control study. Atopy (OR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.58-2.29]), parental atopy (OR, 2.49 [95% CI, 1.55-4.01]), hospitalization before 3 years of age (OR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.37-4.70]), high consumption of milk products (OR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.03-2.73]), and dust Dermatophagoides farinae group 1 allergen (OR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.34-2.19]) were positively associated with asthma. Living in a crop-farming family at < 1 year of age (OR, 0.15 [95% CI, 0.08-0.32]) and dust endotoxin levels (OR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.50-0.95]) were negatively associated with asthma. Rural children from an agricultural background exhibited a reduced risk of asthma. Early life exposure to crop farming and high environmental endotoxin levels might protect the children from asthma in southern China.

Fetal and infant exposure to the Chinese famine increases the risk of fatty liver disease in Chongqing, China.

Early life exposure to the famine may affect the susceptibility to the metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of early life exposure to the Chinese Famine (1959-1961) with the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia in adulthood. We used the data of 10,935 adults born between 1956 and 1965 in Chongqing from check-up center at the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in 2011. Logistic regression models were used to explore the effects of famine on the risk of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. In Chongqing, prevalences of fatty liver disease among adults in non-exposed (1956-1958 plus 1963-1965) group and born in 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962 were 34.01%, 36.42%, 34.63%, 40.27%, and 36.09%, respectively. Prevalences of fatty liver disease, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly higher in males versus females. The risk of fatty liver disease was about 1.375-fold (1.303 (95% confidence interval, 1.066-1.594) for male, 1.547(95% confidence interval, 1.195-2.002) for female) higher in subjects born in 1961, and 1.142-fold (1.117 (95% confidence interval, 0.957-1.305) for male, 1.242 (95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.537) for female) higher in subjects born in 1962 after adjustment of age and sex, compared with non-exposed subjects. Early life exposure to the Chinese famine was also associated with the increased risk of obesity and hyperglycemia. Exposure to the Chinese famine during fetal life and infancy was associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease in adulthood.

Early Life Exposure To Bisphenol A In Association With Obesity And Cardiometabolic Traits In Early Childhood

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used extensively worldwide in the manufacture of plastic polymers. The environmental obesogen hypothesis suggests that early life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as BPA may increase the risk for weight gain later in childhood but few prospective epidemiological studies have investigated this relationship. We examined the association of early life BPA exposure with offspring obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in 500 mother-child pairs from the RHEA pregnancy cohort in Crete, Greece. Methods: BPA concentrations were measured in spot urine samples collected from mothers (1st trimester of pregnancy) and their children at 2.5 and 4 years of age. We measured birth weight, body mass index (BMI) from 6 months to 4 years of age, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, serum lipids, C-reactive protein, and adipokines at 4 years of age. BMI growth trajectories from birth to 4 years were estimated by linear mixed effects models with fractional polynomials of age. Adjusted associations were obtained via multivariable regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 9% at 2, 13% at 3 and 17% at 4 years of age. Geometric mean BPA concentrations were 1.2 μg/g creatinine (SD 7.9) in 1st trimester, 5.1 μg/g (13.3) in 2.5 years and 1.9 μg/g (4.9) in 4 years. After confounder adjustment, each 10-fold increase in BPA at 4 years was associated with a higher BMI z-score (β log10 μg/g= 0.2; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.4), higher waist circumference (β = 1.2 cm; 95% CI: 0.1, 2.2) and greater sum of skinfold thickness (β=3.7 mm; 95% CI: 0.7, 6.7) at 4 years. Prenatal and 2.5 years BPA was not associated with child anthropometry from birth to 4 years. We found no significant associations of early life exposure to BPA with other offspring cardiometabolic risk factors. Discussion: Early childhood BPA exposure was associated with excess child adiposity.

Internet-Based Birth-Cohort Studies: Is This the Future for Epidemiology?

BackgroundInternational collaborative cohorts the NINFEA and the ELF studies are mother-child cohorts that use the internet for recruitment and follow-up of their members. The cohorts investigated the association of early life exposures and a wide range of non-communicable diseases.ObjectiveThe objective is to report the research methodology, with emphasis on the advantages and limitations offered by an Internet-based design. These studies were conducted in Turin, Italy and Wellington, New Zealand.MethodsThe cohorts utilized various online/offline methods to recruit participants. Pregnant women who became aware volunteered, completed an online questionnaire, thus obtaining baseline information.ResultsThe NINFEA study has recruited 7003 pregnant women, while the ELF study has recruited 2197 women. The cohorts targeted the whole country, utilizing a range of support processes to reduce the attrition rate of the participants. For the NINFEA and ELF cohorts, online participants were predominantly older (35% and 28.9%, respectively), highly educated (55.6% and 84.9%, respectively), and were in their final trimester of pregnancy (48.5% and 53.6%, respectively).ConclusionsInternet-based cohort epidemiological studies are feasible, however, it is clear that participants are self-selective samples, as is the case for many birth cohorts. Internet-based cohort studies are potentially cost-effective and novel methodology for conducting long-term epidemiology research. However, from our experience, participants tend to be self-selective. In marked time, if the cohorts are to form part of a larger research program they require further use and exploration to address biases and overcome limitations.