Male Children Research Articles

First Record of the Isolation of blaNDM-1-Producing Enterotoxigenic Enterobacter cloacae ssp. cloacae in Baghdad/Iraq.

Antibiotic resistance is a major problem threatening human beings. The genetic determinants that carry resistance genes can be transmitted in several ways in clinical and food environments. Hence, this research study aimed to investigate the presence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (blaNDM-1) produced by enterotoxigenic Enterobacter cloacae in both clinical and food samples. Twenty-four isolates of Enterobacter spp. were isolated, seven isolates from food samples and 17 isolates from blood taken from neonates and children (1 day - 10 years old) resident in a children's hospital. Antibiotic susceptibility test to 14 antibiotics was performed for all isolates. Enterotoxigenicity of the clinical and foodborne isolates was detected phenotypically using Suckling mouse bioassay. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the isolated Enterobacter spp. that were detected resistant to imipenem. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify blaNDM-1 gene followed by sequencing. The results of the bioassay revealed that 64.28% of E. cloacae ssp. cloacae isolates were enterotoxigenic. Two E. cloacae ssp. cloacae were imipenem resistant. This study showed that one isolate from a male child 1 < year was bla NDM-1 positive that was con-firmed by sequencing. This is the first report that revealed blaNDM-1 producing Enterobacter cloacae in Iraq.

Posterior default mode network is associated with the social performance in male children with autism spectrum disorder: A dynamic causal modeling analysis based on triple-network model.

The triple-network model has been widely applied in neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the mechanism of causal regulations within the triple-network and their relations with symptoms of ASD remains unclear. 81 male ASD and 80 well matched typically developing control (TDC) were included in this study, recruited from Autism Brain Image Data Exchange-I datasets. Spatial reference-based independent component analysis was used to identify the anterior and posterior part of default-mode network (aDMN and pDMN), salience network (SN), and bilateral executive-control network (ECN) from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Spectral dynamic causal model and parametric empirical Bayes with Bayesian model reduction/average were adopted to explore the effective connectivity (EC) within triple-network and the relationship between EC and autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) scores. After adjusting for age and site effect, ASD and TDC groups both showed inhibition patterns. Compared with TDC, ASD group showed weaker self-inhibition in aDMN and pDMN, stronger inhibition in pDMN→aDMN, weaker inhibition in aDMN→LECN, pDMN→SN, LECN→SN, and LECN→RECN. Furthermore, negative relationships between ADOS scores and pDMN self-inhibition strength, as well as with the EC of pDMN→aDMN were observed in ASD group. The present study reveals imbalanced effective connections within triple-networks in ASD children. More attentions should be focused at the pDMN, which modulates the core symptoms of ASD and may serve as an important region for ASD diagnosis and the target region for ASD treatments.

Molecular characterization and biomarker identification in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

6524 Background: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most prevalent hematologic malignancy in children and a leading cause of mortality. Despite high cure rates, the management of B-ALL remains challenging due to its high heterogeneity and propensity for relapse. This study aimed to delineate molecular features of pediatric B-ALL and explore the clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker in B-ALL. Methods: The study analyzed 146 primary pediatric B-ALL patients who were diagnosed from August 2020 to April 2023 and received systemic chemotherapy in Wuhan Children's Hospital. Baseline bone marrow (BM) and plasma samples were collected for next-generation sequencing (NGS) to profile the mutational landscape. BM samples collected on day 19 of the treatment were utilized for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing to assess treatment efficacy. Transcriptomic profiling of baseline BM samples was performed via bulk RNA sequencing. Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were utilized to compare categorical and continuous variables between groups, respectively. A two‐tailed P-value&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant unless indicated otherwise. Results: Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 86.3% of patients (126 out of 146) could be categorized into 13 distinct molecular subtypes, with hyperdiploidy emerging as the predominant subtype. Baseline BM NGS identified gene fusions in 61% of patients, including 37 novel fusions previously unreported in B-ALL. Specifically, the KMT2A-TRIM29 novel fusion was detected and validated in a male child diagnosed with the KMT2A-rearranged subtype. Despite initially responding well to therapy, the patient experienced disease progression after a year, indicating a poor prognosis. We also found that elevated mutant counts and maximum-variant-allele-frequency (maxVAF) in baseline BM were associated with significantly poorer response to chemotherapy ( P=0.0012 and 0.028, respectively). Additionally, MRD-negative patients exhibited upregulated expression of immune-related pathways ( P&lt;0.01) and increased CD8+ T cell infiltration ( P=0.047), indicating a more active immune microenvironment in better responding tumors. Baseline plasma ctDNA, which exhibited high mutational concordance with paired baseline BM samples, also demonstrated significant associations with chemotherapy efficacy, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive tool for disease monitoring and treatment outcome prediction. Conclusions: This study elucidated novel gene fusions and potential biomarkers for treatment response in pediatric B-ALL. Importantly, both baseline plasma ctDNA and BM samples offer promising prognostic insights into chemotherapy responses, paving the way for non-invasive monitoring strategies in the management of pediatric B-ALL.

Incidence and treatment for hypomineralization of incisor and molar among school going Indian children.

The presence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) raises the likelihood of enamel degradation, which in turn raises the risk of plaque buildup and dental caries. Individuals impacted by this illness frequently incur large long-term costs. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate prevalence and treatment need of MIH in school going children. Hence, 3030 school going students were included in this study. Considering the WHO 1997 guidelines for caries severity and the requirement of therapy for the damaged teeth and criteria for MIH, a full mouth visual assessment of moist teeth was conducted for every student. The overall prevalence of MIH was 174 (7.9%). Preventive caries restricting therapy was needed in 42(6.2%) maxillary right first molar,30(4.5%) maxillary left first molar, 30 (4.5%) mandibular right first molar, 36 (5.4%) in mandibular left first molar. Data shows that an incidence rate of 7.4 percent was noted, with a larger propensity among male children and a predominant impact on mandibular molars.

Determinants of time to seeking treatment among under-five children suffering from Pneumonia in Uganda

The major goal of this study was to determine the factors influencing the time to seeking treatment among under-five children suffering from pneumonia in Uganda. The Makerere University School of Public Health dataset, which included 791 caregivers that were subjected to a prospective cohort study. A multi-stage sample approach was used. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier were adopted in the study. The length of time that caregivers waited before search of treatment was different among areas of Uganda. Caretakers with high wealth scores, those who frequently visited public health facilities, and those with higher monthly incomes were more likely to search for medication for their children early on. The results showed that parents of male children were more inclined to put off obtaining medical attention. The type of facility, the child's gender, the asset score, and the monthly income of the homestead were among the variables associated with time to seeking treatment among children of under-five. There is need to increase awareness of pneumonia symptoms in children. There should be increased health literacy among caretakers in the country, particularly those with lower wealth scores and monthly incomes.

Steroid Abuse Induced Benign Intracranial Hypertension in an Infant

Introduction Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension is a well known phenomenon in both pediatric population and also adults. Steroid induced Intracranial Hypertension is also well documented in adults but sparsely reported in children and no such literature reported in Infants from India. We would like to present our case of steroid induced intracranial hypertension in a 6 months old male child who was on prednisone drops for past 3 months misused by parents as prescribed by some quack as relief medication for common cold. Our intention is to highlight the level of abuse of steroids over the counter practice and to show the level of detrimental side effects it causes with evidence inorder to report from Indian literature. Case Report A 6 months old male child was brought by parents with complaints of poor feeding, excessive cry and irritability. On examination child (fig 1) had bulging anterior fontanelle, BP was 120/80 mmHg, &gt; 99th centile for the age. Child is obese and weight was 10 kg, Z&gt; 2SD on WHO chart. Child was suspected to be having cushingoid features. On further probing mother gave a history of usage of drops for common cold as suggested by a quack continuously for past 3 months which was found to be Prednisolone drops

Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections at a Tertiary Care Center: Microbial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns

Abstract Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) remains a prevalent bacterial infection among the pediatric age group, ranking as the third-most common bacterial infection in children in developing countries, following gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. It continues to pose a significant health challenge. Materials and Methods: The urine samples underwent gross examination, wet mount, and Gram stain. Semiquantitative cultures were conducted on conventional media (MacConkey agar, blood agar, and CLED agar) and UTI chromogenic media. Uropathogen identification employed standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, with interpretation based on CLSI guidelines. Plates were incubated overnight, and clear zone diameters around antibiotic discs were measured for sensitivity or resistance determination. Results: The study comprised 64.75% male children and 35.25% female children. Analyzing the age distribution, the majority of participants fell within the age range of 1–5 years (35%), followed by those &lt;1 year (33.75%), and the age group of 5–12 years, accounting for 31.25% of the total 400 participants. The findings from our investigation revealed a UTI prevalence of 17.25%, with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella emerging as the predominant uropathogens. Notably, these pathogens exhibited a significant susceptibility to carbapenems, nitrofurantoin, and amikacin. Conclusion: Our study identified a male predominance and various age distributions among UTI patients. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns revealed E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae’s high sensitivity to key antibiotics, whereas Enterococcus spp. exhibited significant high-level aminoglycoside resistance. This study underscores the importance of tailored antibiotic strategies based on local resistance profiles to combat UTIs effectively.

Retrospective analysis of mortality among children under 5 years of age in Huangshi over the period 2002–2022, China

BackgroundThe United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals both underscore the critical need to reduce the under-five mortality rate globally. China has made remarkable progress in decreasing the mortality rate of children under five. This study aims to examine the trends in child mortality rates from 2002 to 2022 and the causes of deaths among neonates, infants, and children under 5 years of age from 2013 to 2022 in Huangshi.MethodsThe data resource was supported and provided by the Huangshi Health Commission, Huangshi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and the Huangshi Statistics Bureau. Figures were drawn using Origin 2021.ResultsThe mortality rate among children under 5 years old significantly decreased, from 21.38 per 1,000 live births in 2002 to 3.53 per 1,000 live births in 2022. The infant mortality rate also saw a significant decline, to 15.06 per 1,000 live births. Among the 1,929 recorded child deaths from 2013 to 2022, the top three causes were: F2 (Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight), accounting for 17.26% (333 deaths); I1 (Accidental drowning and submersion), for 14.83% (286 deaths); and I3 (Other accidental threats to breathing), for 12.29% (237 deaths). Of the 1,929 deaths, 1,117 were male children, representing 57.91%. The gender disparity in the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) was calculated to be 1.38 (boys to girls). The leading causes of death under the age of five shifted from F2 (Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight) to I1 (Accidental drowning and submersion) as children aged, highlighting the need for policymakers and parents to intensify care and vigilance for children.ConclusionsHuangshi has achieved significant progress in lowering child mortality rates over the past two decades. The study calls for policymakers to enact more effective measures to further reduce the mortality rate among children under 5 years of age in Huangshi. Furthermore, it advises parents to dedicate more time and effort to supervising and nurturing their children, promoting a safer and healthier development.

Investigating AXIN1 gene polymorphisms in Turkish children with cryptorchidism: A pilot study

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies in male children, occurring in 2-5% of full-term male infants. Both genetic and environmental factors are observed to play a role in its etiology. A study conducted in Japan identified the AXIN1 gene as being associated with cryptorchidism. We aimed to conduct a pilot study on AXIN1 gene polymorphism in Turkish children with cryptorchidism, and whether AXIN1 gene polymorphism is a risk factor for cryptorchidism. Between January 2023 and December 2023, we have planned a prospective controlled study including 84 boys operated for cryptorchidism as study group, and 96 boys operated for circumcision as control group. The remaining blood samples of preoperative laboratory tests in ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes were kept at -20 Co freezer for genomic studies. Patient demographics, physical examination and operative findings were recorded, study patients were grouped according to testis localization. After collecting all samples, genomic DNA isolation procedure was done, and analysis of the 3 polymorphisms (rs12921862, rs1805105 and rs370681) of AXIN1 gene was performed using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Genotype and allele frequencies of each group was analyzed and compared. The most common location of cryptorchid testis was proximal inguinal (53%), followed by distal inguinal (25.3%), bilateral (13.3%), and intra-abdominal (8.4%). Regarding the 3 polymorphisms of AXIN1 gene, there was no significant difference between study and control groups, in terms of genotype and allele frequencies (P>0.05). Eight haplotype blocks were estimated for 3 polymorphisms of AXIN1. However, no significant difference was observed between study and control groups regarding haplotype distributions (P>0.05). In addition, the comparison of the localization of testis with AXIN1 gene polymorphism did not show any significant difference among cryptorchid testis groups (P>0.05). The AXIN1 gene is located on chromosome 16p and its polymorphisms have been associated with various diseases. In a Chinese study, the rs370681 polymorphism was found to be associated with cryptorchidism. However, our results showed no association between the AXIN1 gene haplotypes for the studied polymorphisms and cryptorchidism. In this study we have investigated the AXIN1 gene polymorphism in Turkish children with cryptorchidism as a pilot study. Although we could not identify any difference as compared to control group, further research is necessary to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the development of cryptorchidism.

Case Study: Childhood Obesity Resulting from Erroneous Parental Beliefs and Influence of Grandmother in Decision Making

This case study presents a 12-year-old male child, suffering from morbid obesity (169 kg, BMI 59.88) due to hyperphagia and sedentary lifestyle. Born premature and admitted to NICU for 8 months, Abdulla developed hyperphagia post first year of life. Despite efforts by parents and patient to address the weight issue, the grandmother's belief that weight loss will be fatal hinders progress. Abdulla presents with comorbidities like vitamin D deficiency, insulin-resistant diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and fatty liver. This case underscores the critical influence of family dynamics on childhood obesity management.

Parent-child conflicts, and punishment of children during the three-week COVID-19 lockdown in Ghana

The study examined the factors contributing to children’s conflicts with their parents, the causes of parental punishment, and the underlying reasons for such punishment during the three-week lockdown enforced in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was used to obtain data from a sample of 385 children aged 10–17 in the Ghanaian cities of Accra and Tema. Approximately 58% of the participants reported experiencing parental conflict during the three-week lockdown period. Also, parent-child conflicts were more prevalent among older children than younger children, as well as among female children than male children. According to the findings, parental punishment was administered to two out of every ten children for misbehaviour that occurred during the lockdown. The pandemic increased financial hardships, placing many parents under pressure, and driving them to subject their children to many forms of punishment at home. It is recommended that extensive family support and psychosocial measures be put in place in the case of a pandemic lockdown to prevent excessive punishment that can lead to the abuse of children. The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), which oversees child-related matters in the country must lead this.

Late Presentation of Coarctation of the Aorta in an 11-Year-Old Male Child: A Case Study

Introduction: Coarctation of the aorta is a condition characterized by a narrowed segment of the aorta due to thickening of the artery wall. This case study highlights the late diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta in an 11-year-old male child who presented with symptoms initially suggestive of a respiratory infection. Case study: An 11-year-old male presented to the outpatient department with chief complaints of fever, cough, and poor appetite. He developed two episodes of epistaxis and hypertension with soft systolic murmur. Echocardiography showed severe coarctation of the aorta. Discussion: Coarctation of the aorta is a relatively common congenital heart defect that can remain asymptomatic until later in childhood or adulthood. It is the seventh most common type of CHD. The delay in the diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta underscores the challenges of recognizing cardiac anomalies in pediatric patients presenting with nonspecific complaints. Conclusion: Healthcare providers must remain vigilant and thorough in their assessment to prevent late diagnoses and associated complications in pediatric patients.

The familial transmission of suicide and non-suicidal self-injury in different income levels in town.

Prior researches have established that suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) exhibit familial transmission patterns. However, the extent to which these patterns vary across different income levels remains unclear, as well as the specific factors that influence them. This study aimed to explore these questions. We analyzed data from 13,988 parent-child pairs in Chongqing, China, where the children were aged from 7 to 12 years old. Six income levels were considered, and the children's depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using standardized scales (the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, [CES-DC], and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders [SCARED], respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the transmission of suicide and NSSI across different income levels. Familial transmission of suicide was significant difference in all income levels except the highest, while familial transmission of NSSI was significant difference in all income levels except the lowest. Notably, in both low- and high-income levels, suicide and NSSI transmissions primarily occurred among male children, mothers with higher education, and children who spent long time with their mothers. Additionally, the transmissions were mediated partially or entirely by children's depression and anxiety symptoms. Future studies should investigate the separate effects of fathers' and mothers' suicide and NSSI histories on familial transmission patterns. The familial transmissions of suicide and NSSI exhibited distinct patterns across different income levels.

How to approach cases of anal atresia with rectoscrotal fistula: Low or intermediate?

Anorectal malformation is a congenital condition where the anus, which opens into the rectum, is missing, malformed, or has a blockage that does not allow feces to pass from the body. These malformations often present with an enteroperineal or enterourinary tract fistula in male children. Anorectal atresia with rectoscrotal fistula is rare. Herein, we present the case of a neonate with imperforate anus and a fistula on the scrotal raphe. A fistula in front of the scrotum, described in our case, is very rare and not incorporated in the current classification and treatment algorithms. Scarce reports on misjudgment concerning the position of the blind rectal pouch in similar cases, led us to perform a colostomy instead of a one-stage correction. We believe that in cases with a rare fistula presentation, the position of the rectal pouch is not predictable and the surgeon should proceed with caution.

Caseworker Visitation After Reunification and Children's Reentry Into Foster Care: A Survival Analysis.

To prevent children from reentering the welfare system, it is crucial to understand the role of caseworker visits after reunification on reentry and identify the factors related to reentry. Utilizing the administrative data of one Mid-Atlantic state, children who reunified with their families between July 2016 and June 2020 were selected as the study sample (N = 3,510). Reentry rates were higher for children who did not have caseworker visits after reunification than for those who did. The survival analysis revealed that male children, living in metropolitan areas, having a prior history of removal, having a behavioral issue, and court-ordered return increased the risk of reentry, while Black children, older children, having a last placement as trial home visit, and caseworker visits after reunification decreased the risk of reentry. The study suggests formally outlining policies for post-reunification caseworker visits and increasing collaboration between the child welfare system and court system.

Two-month-old male child with unilateral wrist rash.

Two-month-old male child with unilateral wrist rash.

Investigation Into The Stress-Coping Levels of Parents of Children with Autism Who Receive Physical Education

The aim of the study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics, stress and coping with stress levels of families with children with autism who receive services from autism sports club associations depending on various factors. A total of 134 people, 97 women (49,65±6,15) and 37 men (49,40±6,28) participated in the study. Personal Information Form (PIS), Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS) and Parent Stress Scale (PSS) were used as data collection tools. SPSS 22 package program was used to analyze the data obtained. Percentage and frequency values were used to analyze demographic characteristics. The t-test was used for the gender variable of the SPSAS, One-Way Anova test was used for all other variables and Post Hoc Tukey test was used to determine the source of the difference. As a result of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between the sub-dimensions of the SBSAS according to the variables of gender, educational status and gender of the child with autism (p&amp;gt;0.05); when analyzed according to the age variable, a significant difference was found between the groups aged 25-35 years (2.66±0.58) and 45 years and over (2.30±0.71) in the helpless approach sub-dimension (p&amp;lt;0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in families with male children (50.29±5.66) in the comparison of the PBSS according to gender variable (p&amp;lt;0.05). According to the results of the study, it was found that parents felt more helpless as they got older and parents with male children with autism experienced more stress than parents with female children with autism.

Prenatal Exposure to Chemical Mixtures and Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Children

Prenatal exposure to ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children, but few studies have studied chemical mixtures or explored underlying protein and metabolic signatures. To investigate associations of prenatal exposure to EDC mixtures with MetS risk score in children and identify associated proteins and metabolites. This population-based, birth cohort study used data collected between April 1, 2003, and February 26, 2016, from the Human Early Life Exposome cohort based in France, Greece, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, and the UK. Eligible participants included mother-child pairs with measured prenatal EDC exposures and complete data on childhood MetS risk factors, proteins, and metabolites. Data were analyzed between October 2022 and July 2023. Nine metals, 3 organochlorine pesticides, 5 polychlorinated biphenyls, 2 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 5 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 10 phthalate metabolites, 3 phenols, 4 parabens, and 4 organophosphate pesticide metabolites measured in urine and blood samples collected during pregnancy. At 6 to 11 years of age, a composite MetS risk score was constructed using z scores of waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin levels. Childhood levels of 44 urinary metabolites, 177 serum metabolites, and 35 plasma proteins were quantified using targeted methods. Associations were assessed using bayesian weighted quantile sum regressions applied to mixtures for each chemical group. The study included 1134 mothers (mean [SD] age at birth, 30.7 [4.9] years) and their children (mean [SD] age, 7.8 [1.5] years; 617 male children [54.4%] and 517 female children [45.6%]; mean [SD] MetS risk score, -0.1 [2.3]). MetS score increased per 1-quartile increase of the mixture for metals (β = 0.44; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.30 to 0.59), organochlorine pesticides (β = 0.22; 95% CrI, 0.15 to 0.29), PBDEs (β = 0.17; 95% CrI, 0.06 to 0.27), and PFAS (β = 0.19; 95% CrI, 0.14 to 0.24). High-molecular weight phthalate mixtures (β = -0.07; 95% CrI, -0.10 to -0.04) and low-molecular weight phthalate mixtures (β = -0.13; 95% CrI, -0.18 to -0.08) were associated with a decreased MetS score. Most EDC mixtures were associated with elevated proinflammatory proteins, amino acids, and altered glycerophospholipids, which in turn were associated with increased MetS score. This cohort study suggests that prenatal exposure to EDC mixtures may be associated with adverse metabolic health in children. Given the pervasive nature of EDCs and the increase in MetS, these findings hold substantial public health implications.

Discovery of a Case of Left Transverse Testicular Ectopia during a General Surgery Campaigna Diagala

We report the observation of a 9-month-old male child who consulted us for a left inguino-scrotal swelling, and the right testicle was not palpable. The operative exploration found a large hernial sac, the opening of which revealed two testicles of normal size and appearance with partial epididymo-testicular independence. We performed in-dartos orchidopexy on both sides intraoperatively. The patient was seen again at the age of 24 months, with both testicles in place and of normal size and consistency. A follow-up abdominal ultrasound was performed which was unremarkable.

Maternal Urinary Fluoride and Child Neurobehavior at Age 36 Months

Recent studies in Canadian and Mexican populations suggest an association of higher prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurobehavioral development, but whether this association holds for US-based populations is unknown. To examine associations of third trimester maternal urinary fluoride (MUF) with child neurobehavior at age 3 years in the US. This prospective cohort study utilized urine samples archived from 2017 to 2020 and neurobehavioral data assessed from 2020 to 2023 from the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) pregnancy cohort, which consisted of predominately Hispanic women residing in Los Angeles, California. Cohort eligibility criteria at recruitment included being 18 years of age or older, less than 30 weeks' gestation, and a fluent English or Spanish speaker. Exclusion criteria included having a disability preventing participation or provision of informed consent, being HIV positive or incarcerated, and having a multiple gestation pregnancy. There were 263 mother-child pairs who completed the 3-year study visit. In this analysis, women who reported prenatal smoking were excluded. Data analysis was conducted from October 2022 to March 2024. Specific gravity-adjusted MUF (MUFSG), a biomarker of prenatal fluoride exposure. Neurobehavior was quantified using the Preschool Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which included composite scores for Total Problems, Internalizing Problems, and Externalizing Problems. CBCL composite T scores range from 28 to 100. T scores from 60 to 63 are in the borderline clinical range, whereas scores above 63 are in the clinical range. Linear and logistic regression models adjusted for covariates were conducted. A total of 229 mother-child pairs (mean [SD] maternal age, 29.45 [5.67] years; 116 female children [50.7%] and 113 male children [49.3%]) who had MUFSG measured were included in the study. Median (IQR) MUFSG was 0.76 (0.51-1.19) mg/L, and 32 participants (14.0%) had a Total Problems T score in the borderline clinical or clinical range. A 1-IQR (0.68 mg/L) increase in MUFSG was associated with nearly double the odds of the Total Problems T score being in the borderline clinical or clinical range (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.17-2.86; P = .008), as well as with a 2.29-point increase in T score for the Internalizing Problems composite (B = 2.29; 95% CI, 0.47-4.11; P = .01) and a 2.14-point increase in T score for the Total Problems composite (B = 2.14; 95% CI, 0.29-3.98; P = .02). In this prospective cohort study of mother-child pairs in Los Angeles, California, prenatal fluoride exposure was associated with increased neurobehavioral problems. These findings suggest that there may be a need to establish recommendations for limiting fluoride exposure during the prenatal period.