The Duisburg birth cohort study: Influence of the prenatal exposure to PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs on thyroid hormone status in newborns and neurodevelopment of infants until the age of 24 months

Wilhelm, M; Wittsiepe, J; Lemm, F; Ranft, U; Krämer, U; Fürst, P; Röseler, SC; Greshake, M; Imöhl, M; Eberwein, G; Rauchfuss, K; Kraft, M; Winneke, G

HERO ID

197586

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

18093869

HERO ID 197586
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 2008
Title The Duisburg birth cohort study: Influence of the prenatal exposure to PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs on thyroid hormone status in newborns and neurodevelopment of infants until the age of 24 months
Authors Wilhelm, M; Wittsiepe, J; Lemm, F; Ranft, U; Krämer, U; Fürst, P; Röseler, SC; Greshake, M; Imöhl, M; Eberwein, G; Rauchfuss, K; Kraft, M; Winneke, G
Journal Mutation Research
Volume 659
Issue 1-2
Page Numbers 83-92
Abstract Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) can affect neurobehavioral development of infants and children. This effect may be mediated through disruption of thyroid hormone homeostasis. However, epidemiological studies reveal no consistent influence of PCDD/Fs and PCBs on thyroid status and neurodevelopment at environmental background levels. The effects may resolve with time of further decreasing exposure to these compounds. The aim of this study was to find out if there are still effects related to prenatal PCDD/F and PCB observable at the meanwhile decreased levels of exposure by using the same methods which have been applied in similar studies during the last 10 years in Europe. The birth cohort study was initiated in the year 2000 in the industrialized city of Duisburg, Germany. 232 healthy mother-infant pairs were recruited between 2000 and 2002. Dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and six indicator PCBs were analyzed in maternal blood during pregnancy and in maternal milk following extraction and sample clean-up by HRGC/HRMS. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were measured in serum samples of the pregnant women and in cord serum samples by chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Neurological examinations were performed at ages 2 weeks and 18 months using the neurological optimality score (NOS), mental and motor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) at ages 12 and 24 months. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to describe the association of PCDD/F and PCB in maternal blood or milk with the outcome measurements after adjustment for confounding. Blood levels (n=182) of WHO 2005 toxic equivalents (TEQ) (PCDD/F+PCB) were in the range of 3.8-58.4 pg/glipid base (median: 19.3 pg/glipid base). The corresponding data for human milk (n=149) were 2.6-52.4 pg/glipid base (median: 19.7 pg/glipid base). Multiple regression analysis showed no decrease of thyroid hormones related to WHO 2005 TEQ in blood and milk of mothers and their newborns. Furthermore, no associations between exposure and neurological and developmental measures were observed. This study supports the view that the current decreased exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs does not impair thyroid function of newborns and neurodevelopment of infants until the age of 24 months.
Doi 10.1016/j.mrrev.2007.11.002
Pmid 18093869
Wosid WOS:000258811000012
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Birth cohort study; PCDD/Fs; Dioxin-like PCBs; Thyroid hormones; Neurodevelopment; WHO 2005 TEQ; Blood; Breast milk
Is Qa No