Prenatal Exposure to Nonpersistent Chemical Mixtures and Offspring IQ and Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Prenatal exposure to nonpersistent chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenols, and organophosphate (OP) pesticides is ubiquitous and occurs in mixtures. So far, epidemiological studies investigating neurodevelopmental consequences of these exposures have mainly been restricted to single-pollutant models. Thus, we studied the association between prenatal exposure to nonpersistent chemical mixtures and child IQ and emotional and behavioral problems. Data came from 782 mother-child pairs. Eleven phthalate, one bisphenol, and five OP pesticide urinary exposure biomarkers were measured three times during pregnancy and averaged. Nonverbal IQ, internalizing and attention problems, aggressive behavior, and autistic traits were assessed at child age 6 years. We used quantile g-computation to estimate the change in each outcome per quartile increase in all chemicals within the mixture. Higher exposure to the mixture was associated with lower nonverbal IQ (-4.0 points (95%CI = -7.0, -1.0), -5.5 points (95%CI = -10.2, -0.9), and -4.6 points (95%CI = -10.8, 1.5) for the second, third, and fourth quartile, respectively, compared to the first quartile). These results were mainly driven by the phthalate mixture. No association was observed with emotional and behavioral problems. Prenatal exposure to nonpersistent chemical mixtures was associated with lower nonverbal IQ in children. Exposure to chemical mixtures during gestation is universal and may impact neurodevelopment.

Automated summary

Prenatal exposure to nonpersistent chemical mixtures is associated with lower nonverbal IQ in children, but not emotional and behavioral problems. This exposure is universal and may impact neurodevelopment.