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Background: Evaluating individual health outcomes does not capture co-morbidities children experience. Purpose: We aimed to describe profiles of child neurodevelopment and anthropometry and identify their predictors. Methods: Using data from 501 mother-child pairs (age 3-years) in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a prospective cohort study, we developed phenotypic profiles by applying latent profile analysis to twelve neurodevelopmental and anthropometric traits. Using multinomial regression, we evaluated odds of phenotypic profiles based on maternal, sociodemographic, and child level characteristics. Results: For neurodevelopmental outcomes, we identified three profiles characterized by Non-optimal (9%), Typical (49%), and Optimal neurodevelopment (42%). For anthropometric outcomes, we observed three profiles of Low (12%), Average (61%), and Excess Adiposity (27%). When examining joint profiles, few children had both Non-optimal neurodevelopment and Excess Adiposity (2%). Lower household income, lower birthweight, younger gestational age, decreased caregiving environment, greater maternal depressive symptoms, and male sex were associated with increased odds of being in the Non-optimal neurodevelopment profile. Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index was associated with increased odds of being in the Excess Adiposity profile. Conclusions: Phenotypic profiles of child neurodevelopment and adiposity were associated with maternal, sociodemographic, and child level characteristics. Few children had both non-optimal neurodevelopment and excess adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the association between prenatal fish intake and child autism-related traits according to Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and cognitive development scores in two US prospective pregnancy cohorts. In adjusted linear regression analyses, higher maternal fish intake in the second half of pregnancy was associated with increased child autism traits (higher raw SRS scores; [beta] = 5.60, 95%CI 1.76, 12.97). Differences by fish type were suggested; shellfish and large fish species were associated with increases, and salmon with decreases, in child SRS scores. Clear patterns with cognitive scores in the two cohorts were not observed. Future work should further evaluate potential critical windows of prenatal fish intake, and the role of different fish types in association with child autism-related outcomes.

In this issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, Berky et al. admirably present important research on cord blood levels of select environmental agents and subsequent adverse reproductive health outcomes within the [...]

In a Policy Forum, Irva Hertz-Picciotto and colleagues review the scientific evidence linking organophosphate pesticides to cognitive, behavioral, and neurological deficits in children and recommend actions to reduce exposures.

BackgroundIn the United States, one in six children are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in flame-retardant chemicals are measured ubiquitously in children.ObjectiveWe conducted a systematic a systematic review regarding developmental exposure to PBDEs and intelligence or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and attention-related behavioral conditions in humans.MethodsWe searched articles published up to 26 September 2016, and included original studies that quantified exposures to PBDEs incurred any time in proximity to conception or during in utero, perinatal, or childhood time periods. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality and strength of the evidence according to the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology. We established criteria in advance to identify studies that could be combined using random effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian-Laird method).ResultsFifteen studies met the inclusion criteria; 10 studies met the criteria for intelligence and nine for attention-related problems. We rated studies generally with "low" to "probably low" risk of bias and rated the overall body of evidence as "moderate" quality with "sufficient" evidence for an association between Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and PBDEs. Our meta-analysis of four studies estimated a 10-fold increase (in other words, times 10) in PBDE exposure associated with a decrement of 3.70 IQ points (95% confidence interval: 0.83, 6.56). We concluded the body of evidence was of "moderate" quality for ADHD with "limited" evidence for an association with PBDEs, based on the heterogeneity of association estimates reported by a small number of studies and the fact that chance, bias, and confounding could not be ruled out with reasonable confidence.ConclusionWe concluded there was sufficient evidence supporting an association between developmental PBDE exposure and reduced IQ. Preventing developmental exposure to PBDEs could help prevent loss of human intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1632.

Use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) increased ∼100-fold from 1974 to 2014. Additional increases are expected due to widespread emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds, increased application of GBHs, and preharvest uses of GBHs as desiccants. Current safety assessments rely heavily on studies conducted over 30 years ago. We have considered information on GBH use, exposures, mechanisms of action, toxicity and epidemiology. Human exposures to glyphosate are rising, and a number of in vitro and in vivo studies challenge the basis for the current safety assessment of glyphosate and GBHs. We conclude that current safety standards for GBHs are outdated and may fail to protect public health or the environment. To improve safety standards, the following are urgently needed: (1) human biomonitoring for glyphosate and its metabolites; (2) prioritisation of glyphosate and GBHs for hazard assessments, including toxicological studies that use state-of-the-art approaches; (3) epidemiological studies, especially of occupationally exposed agricultural workers, pregnant women and their children and (4) evaluations of GBHs in commercially used formulations, recognising that herbicide mixtures likely have effects that are not predicted by studying glyphosate alone.

Background: The objective was to determine whether infant neurobehavior measured at five post-gestational weeks could predict social and communicative behavior (SCB) through five and eight years. Methods: Infant neurobehavior was assessed using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale, and SCB was measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Adjusted linear regression with generalized estimating equations were employed to estimate the association between infant neurobehavior and SCB. Interaction terms and stratification were used to identify potential effect modification by autism spectrum disorder risk factors. Results: The analyses include n = 214 and n = 227 participants who were examined at 5 weeks and followed to 4/5 and 8 years, respectively. Adjusting for maternal age, race, parity, and education as well as gestational age, only the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale summary score of "attention" (measured at mean 43.9 gestational weeks) was inversely associated with total SRS T-score through 5 years. However, in analyses stratified by maternal age, the inverse association between "attention" and SCB was significant, but only among offspring of women of advanced maternal age (=35 y); in addition, higher scores of "excitability," "lethargy," and "arousal" were associated with increased total SRS T scores among women of advanced maternal age. The associations were no longer statistically significant at 8 years. Conclusions: Newborns with lower scores on the attention subscale (determined by an ability to localize and track animate and inanimate objects) were more likely to demonstrate deficits in SCB. In addition, infants with increased excitability, lethargy, or increased arousal were more likely to have impaired SCB that persisted through 5 years, but not at 8 years of age. Further work is necessary to identify specific aspects of infant neurobehavior that may affect childhood SCBs.

Introduction Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are major contributors to maternal (1,2) and newborn (3,4) morbidity and mortality. Women with these conditions have an increased risk of developing hypertension and other [...], Background: Toxic metals, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), may be associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, whereas manganese (Mn) is an essential metal that may be protective. OBJECTIVES: We estimated the individual, independent, and joint associations of Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Mn on the risk of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in a cohort of Canadian women. Methods: Metal concentrations were analyzed in first and third trimester maternal blood (n = 1,560). We measured blood pressure after 20 wk gestation to diagnose gestational hypertension, whereas proteinuria and other complications defined preeclampsia. We estimated individual and independent (adjusted for coexposure) relative risks (RRs) for each doubling of metal concentrations and examined interactions between toxic metals and Mn. We used quantile g-computation to estimate the joint effect of trimester-specific exposures. Results: Each doubling of third trimester Pb (RR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.22) and first trimester blood As (RR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.58) was independently associated with a higher risk of developing preeclampsia. First trimester blood As (RR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.40, 8.28) and Mn (RR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.94) concentrations were associated with a higher and lower risk, respectively, of developing gestational hypertension. Mn modified the association with As such that the deleterious association with As was stronger at lower concentrations of Mn. First trimester urinary dimethylarsinic acid concentrations were not associated with gestational hypertension (RR=1.31; 95% CI: 0.60, 2.85) or preeclampsia (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.24). We did not observe overall joint effects for blood metals. Discussion: Our results confirm that even low blood Pb concentrations are a risk factor for preeclampsia. Women with higher blood As concentrations combined with lower Mn in early pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational hypertension. These pregnancy complications impact maternal and neonatal health. Understanding the contribution of toxic metals and Mn is of public health importance. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10825

The article reviews the long history and ongoing public health impact of lead poisoning, highlighting its effects on cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, and kidney health. Topics discussed include the sources of lead exposure, the process of absorption and body burden, and the elevated risks faced by vulnerable populations, such as children and workers in certain industries.

While the health risks associated with adult cigarette smoking have been well described, effects of nicotine exposure during periods of developmental vulnerability are often overlooked. Using MEDLINE and PubMed literature searches, books, reports and expert opinion, a transdisciplinary group of scientists reviewed human and animal research on the health effects of exposure to nicotine during pregnancy and adolescence. A synthesis of this research supports that nicotine contributes critically to adverse effects of gestational tobacco exposure, including reduced pulmonary function, auditory processing defects, impaired infant cardiorespiratory function, and may contribute to cognitive and behavioral deficits in later life. Nicotine exposure during adolescence is associated with deficits in working memory, attention, and auditory processing, as well as increased impulsivity and anxiety. Finally, recent animal studies suggest that nicotine has a priming effect that increases addiction liability for other drugs. The evidence that nicotine adversely affects fetal and adolescent development is sufficient to warrant public health measures to protect pregnant women, children, and adolescents from nicotine exposure.