Perfluorooctanoate exposure in a highly exposed community and parent and teacher reports of behaviour in 6-12-year-old children

Stein, CR; Savitz, DA; Bellinger, DC

HERO ID

2721873

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

PMID

24320613

HERO ID 2721873
In Press No
Year 2014
Title Perfluorooctanoate exposure in a highly exposed community and parent and teacher reports of behaviour in 6-12-year-old children
Authors Stein, CR; Savitz, DA; Bellinger, DC
Journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
Volume 28
Issue 2
Page Numbers 146-156
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>In toxicology studies, perfluorinated compounds affect fetal growth, development, viability, and postnatal growth. There are limited epidemiologic studies on child development.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>We recruited and evaluated 321 children who participated in the C8 Health Project, a 2005-06 survey in a mid-Ohio Valley community highly exposed to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) through contaminated drinking water. We examined associations between measured childhood PFOA serum concentration and mother and teacher reports of executive function (Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviour (Conner's ADHD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV Scales), and behavioural problems (Behaviour Assessment System for Children) assessed 3 to 4 years later at ages 6-12 years.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Overall, neither reports from mothers nor teachers provided clear associations between exposure and child behaviour. Mother reports, however, did suggest favourable associations between exposure and behaviour among boys and adverse associations among girls. On the composite scale from the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (n = 318), PFOA exposure had a favourable association among boys (highest vs. lowest quartile β = -6.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] -11.43, -1.35) and an adverse association among girls (highest vs. lowest quartile β = 4.42; 95% CI -0.03, 8.87; interaction P = 0.01). Teacher reports (n = 189) replicated some, but not all of the sex interactions observed in mothers' reports.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Aggregate results did not suggest adverse effects of PFOA on behaviour, but sex-specific results raise the possibility of differing patterns by sex. Results are not consistent between mothers' and teachers' reports. Effect modification by sex may warrant further investigation.
Doi 10.1111/ppe.12097
Pmid 24320613
Wosid WOS:000331273800009
Url //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4617562/
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword attention deficit disorders; child behaviour; epidemiology; fluorocarbons; perfluorooctanoic acid