Maternal levels of environmental toxicants and essential elements during pregnancy and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and cognitive functions in children
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- Psykologisk institutt [4403]
Abstract
Knowledge about effects of early-life exposure to toxicants on human brain development is still limited. This thesis investigated relationships between levels of environmental toxicants (PFASs, metals) and essential elements in pregnancy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, cognitive functions and diagnosis of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The research project included data on 3,167 pregnant women and their children from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Maternal blood levels were measured mid-pregnancy. The findings indicate that some of the toxicants and elements affect neurodevelopmental outcomes in a similar fashion. PFOA, cadmium, lead, arsenic, magnesium, manganese, and copper were associated with increased risk of ASD and/or ADHD diagnosis. The highest prenatal levels of several PFASs (e.g. PFOS and PFOA) were associated with lowered scores of nonverbal working memory in preschoolers. Altogether, the results support that in utero exposure to some of the investigated toxicants and elements may represent overlapping environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders and related cognitive deficits.List of papers
Paper I. Skogheim, T. S., Villanger, G. D., Weyde, K. V. F., Engel, S. M., Surén, P., Øie, M. G., Skogan, A. H., Biele, G., Zeiner, P., Øvergaard, K. R., Haug, L. S., Sabaredzovic, A., & Aase, H. (2020). Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and associations with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and cognitive functions in preschool children. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 223(1), 80-92. The paper is included in the thesis in DUO, and also available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.10.003 |
Paper II. Skogheim, T. S., Weyde, K. V. F., Engel, S. M., Aase, H., Surén, P., Øie, M. G., Biele, G., Reichborn-Kjennerud, T., Caspersen, I. H., Hornig, M., Haug, L. S., & Villanger, G. D. (2021) Metal and essential element concentrations during pregnancy and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. Published as: Metal and essential element concentrations during pregnancy and associations with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Environment International, 152, 106468. An author version is included in the thesis. The published version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106468 |
Paper III. Skogheim, T. S., Weyde, K. V. F., Aase, H., Engel, S. M., Surén, P., Øie, M. G., Biele, G., Reichborn-Kjennerud, T., Brantsæter, A. L., Haug, L. S., Sabaredzovic, A., Auyeung, B., & Villanger, G. D. (2021) Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. Environmental Research, 202, 111692. An author version is included in the thesis. The published version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106468 |