Review
Neurosciences
Eileen M. Moore, Yingjing Xia
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure can interfere with neurodevelopment and have detrimental effects on brain structure, function, cognition, behavior, and mental health. Studies have shown that individuals with PAE have atypical developmental trajectories in brain cortical and white matter microstructure during childhood and adolescence. More research is needed to investigate the role of factors such as sex and postnatal experiences, as well as the long-term developmental trajectories beyond young adulthood.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peggy Hiu Ying Chan, Ka Ming Kwok, Michael Ho Ming Chan, Albert Martin Li, Iris Hiu Shuen Chan, Tai Fai Fok, Hugh Simon Lam
Summary: This study found an association between prenatal MeHg exposure and cardiac autonomic function in children, resulting in reduced parasympathetic activity. Adjustment for recent fish consumption further strengthened the negative associations of MeHg.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Jennifer J. Lee, Neeta Saraiya, Michael W. Kuzniewicz
Summary: The opioid epidemic in the United States has led to an increase in opioid use disorder among pregnant women and subsequently neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. The long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes are still not fully understood. Animal studies indicate negative impacts on neuronal development, while meta-analyses of human studies suggest cognitive and language deficits in exposed infants. However, current studies have limitations concerning sample sizes, comparison groups, and consideration of other risk factors and exposures. Future studies should aim to better understand the potential impact of these confounding factors.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGICAL ANESTHESIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Nannan Zhou, Shuang Liang, Xinying Yue, Wangyuan Zou
Summary: While pregnant women often receive anesthesia during surgery, the long-term effects of prenatal anesthesia exposure (PAE) on the offspring's neurodevelopment are still unclear. Animal studies have shown that in utero anesthetic exposure can cause neurotoxicity in newborns, leading to histomorphological changes and altered learning and memory abilities. Regional birth cohort studies based on databases are currently the most convenient and popular type of clinical research, using specialized questionnaires and scales to screen and diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. The time intervals between intrauterine exposure and the onset of developmental outcomes vary over several years and are influenced by numerous confounding factors.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eliza Honybun, Rebecca Thwaites, Charles B. Malpas, Genevieve Rayner, Alison Anderson, Janet Graham, Alison Hitchcock, Terence J. O'Brien, Frank J. E. Vajda, Piero Perucca
Summary: In this study, prenatal exposure to VPA was found to offset the usual male sex-related predominance in the incidence of ASD. Males exposed to other AEDs had higher ASD symptoms, while this typical sex dynamic was not evident in VPA-exposed children. No dose-response relationship was found between VPA exposure and ASD symptoms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hui Hua, Lihua Huang, Bo Yang, Shiwei Jiang, Yijing Zhang, Junxia Liu, Chonghuai Yan, Jian Xu
Summary: This study found that prenatal combined exposure to lead and stress had a greater impact on neurodevelopment, as well as on the composition of intestinal microbiota and the bidirectional communication with the central nervous system. Gut microbiota may mediate the effects of prenatal lead and stress co-exposure on neurodevelopmental deficits.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
J. J. Strain, Tanzy M. Love, Alison J. Yeates, Daniel Weller, Maria S. Mulhern, Emeir M. McSorley, Sally W. Thurston, Gene E. Watson, Daniel Mruzek, Karin Broberg, Matthew D. Rand, Juliette Henderson, Conrad F. Shamlaye, Gary J. Myers, Philip W. Davidson, Edwin van Wijngaarden
Summary: The study on Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 2 found no significant association between prenatal MeHg exposure and maternal DHA and AA status with neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 7 years. While increasing maternal n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio may lead to better performance in executive function, cognition, and linguistic skills, these associations were not statistically significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. No significant interaction between MeHg exposure and PUFA status was observed. The roles of n-6 and n-3 PUFA in child neurodevelopment warrant further research.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Erin L. Grafe, Mira M. M. Wade, Claire E. Hodson, Jennifer D. Thomas, Brian R. Christie
Summary: This study found that choline supplementation can restore hippocampal synaptic plasticity impaired by prenatal alcohol exposure. The results showed that choline supplementation improves excitability in female offspring affected by PNEE, and rescues decreased long-term potentiation in male offspring with PNEE.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Miyuki Doi, Noriyoshi Usui, Shoichi Shimada
Summary: The internal and external environment of the mother during fetal development affects the health of offspring. According to the DOHaD theory, environmental factors impact offspring and adult health. Recent studies have focused on the impact of prenatal environments on the onset mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind NDDs is important due to the lack of therapeutic drugs, and exploring the relationship between the DOHaD theory and NDDs contributes to the promotion of preventive medicine.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tingting Chen, Yiling Li, Jialin Liu, Yibaina Wang, Sheng Wei
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the burden of mild intellectual disability (MID) caused by in-utero exposure to MeHg and identify the attributable burden related to MeHg exposure from different sources in China. The maternal MeHg exposure resulted in 6504 MID cases and a loss of 63,354 DALYs in China in 2017. The contribution rates of aquatic products and rice were 52.2% and 27.1%, respectively, leading to health losses of 28,115 and 18,011 DALYs.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrea Cediel Ulloa, Anda Gliga, Tanzy M. Love, Daniela Pineda, Daniel W. Mruzek, Gene E. Watson, Philip W. Davidson, Conrad F. Shamlaye, J. J. Strain, Gary J. Myers, Edwin van Wijngaarden, Joelle Ruegg, Karin Broberg
Summary: The study assessed the association between prenatal MeHg exposure and DNA methylation of nervous system-related genes in children, finding higher prenatal MeHg exposure to be associated with increased DNA methylation at specific CpG sites.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Saijun Huang, Jiaying Zeng, Ruoyu Sun, Hong Yu, Haimou Zhang, Xi Su, Paul Yao
Summary: Prenatal exposure to progestin causes oxytocin suppression, leading to social deficits in mouse offspring.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Lozano, Paul Yousefi, Karin Broberg, Raquel Soler-Blasco, Chihiro Miyashita, Giancarlo Pesce, Woo Jin Kim, Mohammad Rahman, Kelly M. Bakulski, Line S. Haug, Atsuko Ikeda-Araki, Guy Huel, Jaehyun Park, Caroline Relton, Martine Vrijheid, Sheryl Rifas-Shiman, Emily Oken, John F. Dou, Reiko Kishi, Kristine B. Gutzkow, Isabella Annesi-Maesano, Sungho Won, Marie-France Hivert, M. Daniele Fallin, Marina Vafeiadi, Ferran Ballester, Mariona Bustamante, Sabrina Llop
Summary: This study found associations between prenatal MeHg exposure and cord blood DNA methylation levels, but limited evidence of these relationships in blood from 7 to 8 year-old children.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Oliver G. Isik, Ling Guo, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, Guohua Li, Caleb Ing
Summary: This study evaluated the association between prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) and neuropsychological test scores in children. After matching and adjustment, it was found that PME was not associated with worse neuropsychological test scores or autistic traits in children.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shuang Wang, Gavino Puggioni, Jing Wu, Kimford J. Meador, Aisling Caffrey, Richard Wyss, Jonathan L. Slaughter, Etsuji Suzuki, Kristina E. Ward, Adam K. Lewkowitz, Xuerong Wen
Summary: This study examines the effects of prenatal opioid exposure on neurodevelopmental disorders in children, finding that these effects are mediated through pregnancy complications, congenital malformations, and adverse neonatal outcomes. The results indicate that the timing of opioid exposure is positively correlated with the proportion of joint indirect effects.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
D. Richterova, E. Govarts, L. Fabelova, K. Rausova, L. Rodriguez Martin, L. Gilles, S. Remy, A. Colles, L. Rambaud, M. Riou, C. Gabriel, D. Sarigiannis, S. Pedraza-Diaz, J. J. Ramos, T. Kosjek, J. Snoj Tratnik, S. Lignell, I Gyllenhammar, C. Thomsen, L. S. Haug, M. Kolossa-Gehring, N. Vogel, C. Franken, N. Vanlarebeke, L. Bruckers, L. Stewart, O. Sepai, G. Schoeters, M. Uhl, A. Castano, M. Esteban Lopez, T. Goeen, L' Palkovicova Murinova
Summary: This study describes the current levels of PFAS in European teenagers and investigates the determinants of serum/plasma concentrations in this age group. The results indicate that sex, educational level, and food consumption frequencies are associated with PFAS concentrations. These findings can be helpful for targeted monitoring of PFAS in food.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shoji F. Nakayama, Annie St-Amand, Tyler Pollock, Petra Apel, Yu Ait Bamai, Dana Boyd Barr, Jos Bessems, Antonia M. Calafat, Argelia Castano, Adrian Covaci, Radu Corneliu Duca, Sarah Faure, Karen S. Galea, Sean Hays, Nancy B. Hopf, Yuki Ito, Maryam Zare Jeddi, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Eva Kumar, Judy S. LaKind, Marta Esteban Lopez, Henriqueta Louro, Kristin Macey, Konstantinos C. Makris, Lisa Melnyk, Aline Murawski, Josh Naiman, Julianne Nassif, Nolwenn Noisel, Devika Poddalgoda, Lesliam Quiros-Alcala, Ata Rafiee, Loic Rambaud, Maria Joao Silva, Jun Ueyama, Marc-Andre Verner, Maisarah Nasution Waras, Kate Werry
Summary: Human biomonitoring (HBM) data can be used to compare population exposures, but finding the relevant health-based biomonitoring guidance values can be time-consuming. To address this issue, an online repository called the Human Biomonitoring Health-Based Guidance Value (HB2GV) Dashboard has been created. This database provides a centralized location for researchers and decision makers to access and interpret HBM data.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marike Kolossa-Gehring, L. Kim Pack, Kathrin Huelck, Thomas Gehring
Summary: In this article, we discuss important management issues faced by the Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) from the perspective of the Coordinator. HBM4EU is a large-scale international collaborative project involving 118 institutions from 30 countries and the European Environment Agency, with a budget of approximately EUR 74 million. The project has established an innovative cooperative network between national and EU authorities and scientific institutions, focusing on the science-policy interface. The article presents four major points related to the project's management, including the need for a well-elaborated Consortium Agreement, the importance of involvement from policy-making authorities, the necessity of a well-financed scientific governance structure, and the potential conflicts created by differential funding rates among project activities. HBM4EU serves as a prototype for future EU-funded large-scale projects addressing the Green Deal and Zero Pollution Ambition in the fields of chemicals, health, and environment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Iben Have Beck, Niels Bilenberg, Soeren Moeller, Flemming Nielsen, Philippe Grandjean, Frederik Damsgaard Hojsager, Thorhallur Ingi Halldorsson, Christel Nielsen, Tina Kold Jensen
Summary: The study found that prenatal and early postnatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may affect intelligence quotient (IQ), especially higher concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were associated with lower IQ scores.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nina Vogel, Phillipp Schmidt, Rosa Lange, Antje Gerofke, Amrit K. Sakhi, Line S. Haug, Tina Kold Jensen, Hanne Frederiksen, Tamas Szigeti, Zsofia Csako, Lubica Palkovicova Murinova, Miroslava Sidlovska, Beata Janasik, Wojciech Wasowicz, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Darja Mazej, Catherine Gabriel, Spyros Karakitsios, Fabio Barbonem, Valentina Rosolen, Loic Rambaud, Margaux Riou, Aline Murawski, Daan Leseman, Gudrun Koppen, Adrian Covaci, Sanna Lignell, Anna Karin Lindroos, Martin Zvonar, Lenka Andryskova, Lucia Fabelova, Denisa Richterova, Milena Horvatj, Tina Kosjekj, Denis Sarigiannis, Marios Maroulis, Susana Pedraza-Diaz, Ana Canas, Veerle J. Verheyen, Michiel Bastiaensen, Liese Gilles, Greet Schoeters, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Argelia Castano, Eva Govarts, Holger M. Kochx, Marike Kolossa-Gehring
Summary: Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers for PVC and are associated with adverse effects on the reproductive system. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies have investigated the exposure to ten phthalates and the substitute chemical DINCH in European children and adolescents. The study provides detailed data on exposure levels and differences across European regions, as well as comparisons to biomonitoring guidance values.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
L. Kim Pack, Liese Gilles, Jirka Cops, Hanna Tolonen, Irene van Kamp, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Susana Pedraza-Diaz, Marina Lacasana, Beatriz Gonzalez Alzaga, Dominik Lermen, Martina Bartel-Steinbach, Andromachi Katsonouri, Ulrike Fiddicke, Argelia Castano, Marike Kolossa-Gehring
Summary: Human Biomonitoring (HBM) can be used to assess internal exposure of the human body to potentially harmful chemical substances and generate conclusive data on exposure levels. This knowledge can help understand potential risks or monitor the effectiveness of regulatory measures. However, the differing approaches and limited comparability of studies make it challenging to understand exposure on a larger scale.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jurgen Buekers, Kirsten Baken, Eva Govarts, Laura Rodriguez Martin, Nina Vogel, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Zdenka Slejkovec, Ingrid Falnoga, Milena Horvat, Sanna Lignell, Anna Karin Lindroos, Lioc Rambaud, Margaux Riou, Susana Pedraza-Diaz, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Argelia Castano, Elly Den Hond, Willy Baeyens, Tiina Santonen, Greet Schoeters
Summary: The European Joint Programme HBM4EU aims to provide scientific evidence for chemical policy development and improve chemical management by coordinating and advancing human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe. Arsenic (As) was prioritized under the HBM4EU initiative, which required addressing policy-relevant questions regarding exposure status. Internal exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs), measured as Toxic Relevant Arsenic (TRA), varied among different sampling sites, with the main exposure determinants being the consumption of rice and seafood. The high concentration of DMA, a major constituent of TRA, in urine samples indicates potential health concerns for the general population of Europe.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Rodriguez Martin, Ilse Ottenbros, Nina Vogel, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Phillipp Schmidt, Katarina Rihackova, Miguel Julia Molina, Elena Varea-Jimenez, Eva Govarts, Susana Pedraza-Diaz, Erik Lebret, Jelle Vlaanderen, Mirjam Luijten
Summary: Human health risk assessment of chemical mixtures is complex due to the almost infinite number of possible combinations of chemicals. Human biomonitoring approaches, such as network analysis, can provide valuable information on real-life exposure patterns. Applying network analysis to HBM datasets from different countries showed the existence of densely correlated groups of biomarkers, which is relevant for regulatory risk assessment and mixture exposure experiment design.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nina Vogel, Rosa Lange, Phillipp Schmidt, Laura Rodriguez Martin, Sylvie Remy., Andrea Springer, Vladimira Puklova, Milena Cerna, Peter Rudnai, Szilvia Kozepesy, Beata Janasik, Danuta Ligocka, Lucia Fabelova, Branislav Kolena, Ida Petrovicova, Michal Jajcaj, Milada Estokova, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Argelia Castano, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Anja Stajnko, Lisbeth E. Knudsen, Jorma Toppari, Katharina M. Main, Anders Juul, Anna-Maria Andersson, Niels Jorgensen, Hanne Frederiksen, Cathrine Thomsen, Amrit Kaur Sakhi, Agneta Akesson, Christina Hartmann, Marie Christine Dewolf, Gudrun Koppen, Pierre Biot, Elly Den Hond, Stefan Voorspoels, Liese Gilles, Eva Govarts, Aline Murawski, Antje Gerofke, Till Weber, Maria Ruether, Arno C. Gutleb, Cedric Guignard, Tamar Berman, Holger M. Koch, Marike Kolossa-Gehring
Summary: Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers and can have negative impacts on reproductive functions. However, existing human biomonitoring studies on internal exposure to phthalates in Europe differ in many aspects, making comparability challenging. The HBM4EU initiative gathered data from 29 studies across Europe to describe the general population's exposure to phthalates from 2005 to 2019. This study is an important step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries and provides suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Frederik Damsgaard Hojsager, Annika Sigvaldsen, Marianne Skovsager Andersen, Anders Juul, Flemming Nielsen, Soren Moller, Henrik Boye Thybo Christesen, Anders Grontved, Philippe Grandjean, Tina Kold Jensen
Summary: This study found that prenatal and early postnatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) at age 7. The association is stronger for exposure at 18 months than prenatal exposure.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marzanna Marianna Sorensen, Ane Baerent Fisker, Christine Dalgard, Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Flemming Nielsen, Christine Stabell Benn, Philippe Grandjean, Amalie Timmermann
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of infant serum-PFAS concentrations. The study found that the location of residence was the most important determinant of serum-PFAS concentrations among Guinea-Bissau infants, indicating a potential role of diet as affected by the global spread of PFAS, but further research is needed to explore reasons for the regional differences in PFAS exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Brittney O. Baumert, Fabian C. Fischer, Flemming Nielsen, Philippe Grandjean, Scott Bartell, Nikos Stratakis, Douglas I. Walker, Damaskini Valvi, Rohit Kohli, Thomas Inge, Justin Ryder, Todd Jenkins, Stephanie Sisley, Stavra Xanthakos, Sarah Rock, Michele A. La Merrill, David Conti, Rob Mcconnell, Lida Chatzi
Summary: Animal studies have suggested that the liver is a major site for the accumulation and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but these findings have not been replicated in human populations. In this study, concentrations of seven PFAS were measured in matched liver and plasma samples from 64 adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery. A multilinear regression model based on toxicokinetic descriptors perfectly explained the liver:plasma concentration ratios. Among the PFAS congeners examined, perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) had a considerably higher liver:plasma concentration ratio. Mechanistic modeling suggested that complex kinetic transport processes contribute to the high liver:plasma concentration ratio of PFHpA. This study demonstrates the potential of combining biomonitoring data with mechanistic modeling to understand the internal distribution and specific target organ toxicity of PFAS in humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Valerie Seegers, Guillaume Rousseau, Ke Zhou, Audrey Blanc-Lapierre, Frederic Bigot, Hakim Mahammedi, Aurelien Lambert, Camille Moreau-Bachelard, Mario Campone, Thierry Conroy, Frederique Penault-Llorca, Martine M. Bellanger, Jean-Luc Raoul
Summary: In two cohorts of vaccinated cancer patients and healthcare workers, 5% experienced a breakthrough COVID-19 infection. These infections were more common among younger cancer patients with certain types of cancers and those receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapy. The infections occurred either shortly after vaccination or several months after completing the vaccination course. However, the COVID-19 cases in vaccinated individuals were not severe.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Rodriguez Martin, Liese Gilles, Emilie Helte, Agneta Akesson, Jonas Tagt, Adrian Covaci, Amrit K. Sakhi, An Van Nieuwenhuyse, Andromachi Katsonouri, Anna-Maria Andersson, Arno C. Gutleb, Beata Janasik, Brice Appenzeller, Catherine Gabriel, Cathrine Thomsen, Darja Mazej, Denis Sarigiannis, Elena Anastasi, Fabio Barbone, Hanna Tolonen, Hanne Frederiksen, Jana Klanova, Jani Koponen, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Kim Pack, Koppen Gudrun, Kristin Olafsdottir, Lisbeth E. Knudsen, Loic Rambaud, Loreta Strumylaite, Lubica Palkovicova Murinova, Lucia Fabelova, Margaux Riou, Marika Berglund, Mate Szabados, Medea Imboden, Michelle Laeremans, Milada Estokova, Natasa Janev Holcer, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Nicole Vodrazkova, Nina Vogel, Pavel Piler, Phillipp Schmidt, Rosa Lange, Sonia Namorado, Szilvia Kozepesy, Tamas Szigeti, Thorhallur I. Halldorsson, Till Weber, Tina Kold Jensen, Valentina Rosolen, Vladimira Puklova, Wojciech Wasowicz, Ovnair Sepai, Lorraine Stewart, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Marta Esteban-Lopez, Argelia Castano, Jos Bessems, Greet Schoeters, Eva Govarts
Summary: This study evaluated the exposure levels of children and women in Europe over time. The results showed that exposure levels to chemicals restricted at EU level visually decreased, while the levels for some of their substitutes increased. These findings are important for policy efficacy monitoring and highlight the role of HBM in supporting policies.