Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and early childhood adiposity and cardiometabolic health in the Healthy Start study
Authors' conclusion
Our results agree with previous studies showing that prenatal serum concentrations of certain PFAS are positively associated with early childhood adiposity. Notably, associations were stronger for measures incorporating precisely measured fat mass compared to measures of body size or weight. Early life increases in adiposity may precede the development of adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in children exposed to PFAS during gestation.
Study context
- Population
- Mother-infant pairs in the Healthy Start longitudinal cohort; children assessed at median age 4.6 years
- Participants
- 373 mother-infant pairs
- Exposure
- Prenatal maternal mid-pregnancy serum PFAS concentrations (five PFAS) and early childhood adiposity
- Outcome
- Early childhood adiposity via air displacement plethysmography
- Follow-up
- Early childhood (median age 4.6 years)
Methodological detailslongitudinal, multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression, adjusted for potential confounders, effect modification by child sex evaluated
- Longitudinal
- Multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression
- Adjusted for potential confounders
- Effect modification by child sex evaluated
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA): % fat mass per log2-unit increase
0.89%
95% CI 0.15, 1.64
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Cardiometabolic blood markers (fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, adipokines)
- Generally not associated with prenatal PFAS
Original publication
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →