Prenatal Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure and Body Mass Index in Children Up To 8 Years of Age

Abstract

Background: Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors has been associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. However, epidemiologic studies on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are limited despite animal studies indicating PBDEs' potential role as an obesogen.

Objectives: We investigated whether maternal concentrations of BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and ΣPBDEs during pregnancy were associated with anthropometric measures in children aged 1-8 years.

Methods: We examined 318 mother-child pairs in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a birth cohort enrolled from 2003 through 2006 (Cincinnati, OH). Serum PBDEs were measured at 16 ± 3 weeks gestation. We measured child height (1-8 years), weight (1-8 years), body mass index (BMI) (2-8 years), waist circumference (4-8 years), and body fat (8 years). To account for repeated measures, we used linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations to estimate associations between maternal PBDEs and child anthropometric measures.

Results: We found no statistically significant associations between prenatal PBDEs and height or weight z-score. A 10-fold increase in maternal serum BDE-153 was associated with lower BMI z-score (β = -0.36; 95% CI: -0.60, -0.13) at 2-8 years, smaller waist circumference (β = -1.81 cm; 95% CI: -3.13, -0.50) at 4-8 years, and lower percent body fat (β = -2.37%; 95% CI: -4.21, -0.53) at 8 years. A decrease in waist circumference at 4-8 years was observed with a 10-fold increase in BDE-100 (β = -1.50 cm; 95% CI: -2.93, -0.08) and ΣPBDEs (β = -1.57 cm; 95% CI: -3.11, -0.02).

Conclusions: Reverse causality may have resulted in prenatal PBDEs, particularly BDE-153, and decreased BMI, waist circumference, and body fat. Citation: Vuong AM, Braun JM, Sjödin A, Webster GM, Yolton K, Lanphear BP, Chen A. 2016. Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure and body mass index in children up to 8 years of age. Environ Health Perspect 124:1891-1897; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP139.

Conflict of interest statement

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the NIEHS or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). B.P.L. served as an expert witness in California for the plaintiffs in a public nuisance case of childhood lead poisoning, a Proposition 65 case on behalf of the California Attorney General’s Office, a case involving lead-contaminated water in a new housing development in Maryland, and a Canadian tribunal on trade dispute about using lead-free galvanized wire in stucco lathing, but he received no personal compensation for these services. He is currently representing the government of Peru as an expert witness in a suit involving Doe Run vs. Peru, but he is receiving no personal compensation. The other authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1

Estimated differences and 95% CIs from multiple linear mixed models for associations between polybrominated diphenyl ether (ng/g lipid) tertiles and BMI z-score, waist circumference, or body fat percentage in children. All models were adjusted for maternal age, race, education, income, maternal smoking status, maternal depression, prepregnancy BMI, and maternal fruit and vegetable intake during pregnancy. Waist circumference and body fat percentage models were additionally adjusted for child sex and age (months). Children included in the models were 2–8 years for BMI z-score, 4–8 years for waist circumference, and 8 years for body fat percentage. PBDE tertile ranges in ng/g lipid: BDE-28 (0.2–0.7, 0.8–1.3, 1.4–31.4), BDE-47 (1.5–13.1, 13.2–27.9, 28.0–1,290), BDE-99 (0.6–2.9, 3.0–6.0, 6.1–465), BDE-100 (0.4–2.4, 2.5–5.6, 5.7–172), BDE-153 (0.5–3.0, 3.1–6.8, 6.9–152), and ∑PBDEs (4.5–24.9, 25.0–52.9, 53.0–2,047).