Developmental Delays

An Anthropological Approach to the Evaluation of Preschool Children Exposed to Pesticides in Mexico - In a comparative study in Mexico, children exposed to pesticides demonstrated decreases in stamina, coordination, memory, and the ability to draw familiar subjects.[Guillette, E., et al. 1998. Environmental Health Perspectives, 106(6):347-353.]

Brain anomalies in children exposed prenatally to a common organophosphate pesticide - Finds high chlorpyrifos ( CPF)  exposure associated with brain anomalies. Rauh, V. A., F. P. Perera, M. K. Horton, R. M. Whyatt, et al. 2012. PNAS.109 (20): 7871-6.]

Chlorpyrifos Exposure and Urban Residential Environment Characteristics as Determinants of Early Childhood Neurodevelopment - Study found that high concentrations of chlorpyrifos in umbilical cord blood (>6.17 pg/g) corresponds to a 6.5 point decrease in the Psychomotor Development Index, and a 3.3 point decrease in the Mental development index in 3 year olds.The study examined neighborhood characteristics such as poverty levels and dilapidated housing, factors that are also linked to lower test scores. Researchers were able to conclude that neighborhood characteristics and chlorpyrifos exposure were independently associated with children’s neurodevelopment.[Lovasi , G. et al. 2010. Am J Public Health. AJPH.2009.168419v1]

Developmental neurotoxicity of pyrethroid insecticides: critical review and future research needs. - Although their acute neurotoxicity to adults has been well characterized, information regarding the potential developmental neurotoxicity of this class of compounds is limited. There is no information on age-dependent toxicity for most pyrethroids. In the present review authors examine the scientific data related to potential for age-dependent and developmental neurotoxicity of pyrethroids. To better understand the potential for developmental exposure to pyrethroids to cause neurotoxicity, additional, well-designed and well-executed developmental neurotoxicity studies are needed. These studies should employ state-of-the-science methods to promote a greater understanding of the mode of action of pyrethroids in the developing nervous system.[Shafer TJ, Meyer DA, Crofton KM.2005. Environ Health Perspect. 113(2):123-36.]

EFSA assesses potential link between two neonicotinoids and developmental neurotoxicity - Two neonicotinoid insecticides - acetamiprid and imidacloprid - may affect the developing human nervous system, said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Experts from the Authority propose that some guidance levels for acceptable exposure to the two neonicotinoids be lowered while further research is carried out to provide more reliable data on so-called developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). EFSA’s Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) calls for the definition of criteria at EU level to trigger submission of mandatory DNT studies as part of the pesticide authorisation process. This could include the development of a comprehensive testing strategy to evaluate the DNT-potential of substances, including all neonicotinoids.

Growing up with pesticides - Three cohort studies in the United States are tracking the long-term consequences on the developing brain of pesticide exposure during pregnancy and the early years of life. The studies are finding troubling effects, such as IQ deficits and ADHD-like behavioral problems. Some evidence also suggests pesticides may interfere with the normal sexual development of the brain.

Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Piperonyl Butoxide and Permethrin on 36-Month Neurodevelopment - Shows that children more highly exposed to pyrethroid insecticides and piperonyl butoxide (PBO are three times as likely to have a mental delay compared to children with lower levels. [Horton, et al. 2011. Pediatrics, Online February 7, 2011 (doi:10.1542/peds.2010-0133)]

In Utero Pesticide Exposure, Maternal Paraoxonase Activity, and Head Circumference. - Finds maternal levels of chlorpyrifos above the limit of detection coupled with low maternal PON1 activity were associated with a significant but small reduction in head circumference. Because small head size has been found to be predictive of subsequent cognitive ability, these data suggest that chlorpyrifos may have a detrimental effect on fetal neurodevelopment among mothers who exhibit low PON1 activity.[Berkowitz GS, Wetmur JG, Birman-Deych E, Obel J, et al. 2004. Environ Health Perspect.112(3):388-91.]

Mind, Disrupted: How Toxic Chemicals May Affect How We Think and Who We Are - Report examines 61 toxic chemicals present in project participants in the context of rising rates of autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other learning and developmental disabilities.[Gonzalez, S. et al. 2010. The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative]

Neurobehavioral Deficits and Increased Blood Pressure in School-Age Children Prenatally Exposed to Pesticides - A definite negative effect was found in children, whose mother had been exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. The effect was the strongest for motor coordination, spatial performance and visual memory. [Harari, R. et al. 2010. Environ Health Perspect, 118:890–896]

Pesticide Exposure and Stunting as Independent Predictors of Neurobehavioral Deficits in Ecuadorian School Children. - Finds that the exposed children experience a developmental delay on this aptitude of four years. The researchers also concluded that prenatal pesticide exposure may add to the already deleterious effects of malnutrition.  [Grandjean, P. et al. 2006. Pediatrics, 117(3) pp. e546-e556]

Pesticides and Inner-city Children: Exposures, Risks, and Prevention. - The organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos and certain pyrethroids are the registered pesticides most heavily applied in cities. Protection of children, and particularly of inner-city children, from  the developmental hazards of pesticides requires a comprehensive strategy that monitors patterns of pesticide use on a continuing basis, assesses children's actual exposures to pesticides, uses state-of-the-art developmental toxicity testing, and establishes societal targets for reduction of pesticide use.[Landrigan,PJ, Claudio,L, Markowitz, SB et al. 1999. Environ Health Perspect. 107(Suppl 3): 431–437.]

Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year Old Children . - [Bouchard MF, Chevrier J et al. 2011. Environ Health Perspect :-. doi:10.1289/ehp.1003185]

Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphates, Paraoxonase 1, and Cognitive Development in Childhood - Findings suggest that prenatal exposure to organophosphates negatively impacts cognitive development, particularly perceptual reasoning, with evidence of effects beginning at 12 months and continuing through early childhood.  [Engel SM, Wetmur J, Chen J, Zhu C, Barr DB, Canfield RL, et al. 2011. Environ Health Perspect :-. doi:10.1289/ehp.1003183]

Prenatal Organochlorine Exposure and Measures of Behavior in Infancy Using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) - Findings provide evidence for an association between low-level prenatal PCB and DDE exposures and poor attention in early infancy.[Sagiv SK, et al. 2008. Environ Health Perspect 116:666-673. doi:10.1289/ehp.10553]

Project TENDR: Targeting Environmental Neuro-Developmental Risks. The TENDR Consensus Statement - TENDR