Developmental neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS): cognitive and psychomotor functions in 7-month old children.

Neurobehavioral effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at environmental levels of exposure have been reported in cross-sectional and prospective studies in infants and children. However, observations differ for effect spectrum, persistence and effective matrix (cord plasma, maternal plasma or milk). In order to improve risk assessment by clarifying some of these uncertainties, a European multicentric study was set up. Results from the German (Düsseldorf) cohort covering 171 healthy mother-infant pairs are given. The sum of PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 (sigma PCB) in cord plasma and maternal milk was used to describe neonatal PCB exposure. Mean sigma PCB-concentrations were 0.55 ng/ml in cord plasma and 427 ng/g fat in breastmilk. This report covers the Bayley II mental (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) as well as the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence (Visual Recognition Memory) taken at 7 months of age in relation to neonatal sigma PCB. After confounder-adjustment significant negative associations were found between sigma PCB in milk and MDI (P < 0.05), whereas the other associations proved insignificant.