In Utero Exposure to Background Concentrations of DDT and Cognitive Functioning among Preschoolers
Abstract
p,p'-DDT (bis[p-chlorophenyl]-1,1,1-trichloroethane) is a persistent organochlorine compound that has been used worldwide as an insecticide. The authors evaluated the association of cord serum levels of DDT and its metabolite, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (DDE), with neurodevelopment at age 4 years. Two birth cohorts in Ribera d'Ebre and Menorca (Spain) were recruited between 1997 and 1999 (n = 475). Infants were assessed at age 4 years by using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Organochlorine compounds were measured in cord serum. Children's diet and parental sociodemographic information was obtained through questionnaire. Results showed that DDT cord serum concentration at birth was inversely associated with verbal, memory, quantitative, and perceptual-performance skills at age 4 years. Children whose DDT concentrations in cord serum were >0.20 ng/ml had mean decreases of 7.86 (standard error, 3.21) points in the verbal scale and 10.86 (standard error, 4.33) points in the memory scale when compared with children whose concentrations were <0.05 ng/ml. These associations were stronger among girls. Prenatal exposure to background, low-level concentrations of DDT was associated with a decrease in preschoolers' cognitive skills. These results should be considered when evaluating the risk and benefits of spraying DDT during antimalaria and other disease-vector campaigns.
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Two studies investigating DDT on neurodevelopment in humans and rats demonstrated a negative impact on cognitive skills (IQ, memory) and gene expression in the hypothalamus.
“Two studies have investigated the influence of the pesticide DDT on neurodevelopment in humans and rats, demonstrating a negative impact on cognitive skills (IQ, memory) and gene expression in the hypothalamus [210, 211].”
From The contribution of environmental exposure to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (2019) · cites this paper as [210]
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- Authors
- Ribas-Fitó, N., Torrent, M., Carrizo, D., Muñoz-Ortiz, L., Júlvez, J., Grimalt, J. O., & Sunyer, J.
- Affiliations
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
- Venue
- American Journal of Epidemiology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2006-09-12
- Volume
- 164
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 955-962
- ISSN
- 0002-9262 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-6256
- OpenAlex
- W2170107646
- Cited by
- 185
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 14.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Generalitat de Catalunya (00241, 1999SGR 0024 1)
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS‐PI041436, C03/09, Red INMA G03/176, PI04/1436, RCESP C03/09, G03/176, INMA G03/176)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Keywords
- DDT, DDE, prenatal exposure, organochlorine pesticides, cord serum, brain development, cognitive function, preschool children, verbal ability, memory, sex differences, vector control, persistent organic pollutants
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Child, Preschool, Chromatography, Gas, Cognition Disorders, Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene, DDT, Female, Humans, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Spain
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