[Brominated flame retardants may cause brain injuries in the fetus and the newborn].

BACKGROUND

Brominated flame retardants are incorporated into an ever-increasing number of ordinary consumer goods, which has lead to pollution of the environment, wildlife, food of animal origin, and human blood, adipose tissue, and mother's milk. This group of chemicals has a striking structural similarity with the thyroid hormones and may constitute a potential health risk by interfering with thyroid hormone homeostasis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We focus on these features and discuss possible clinical consequences, on the basis of Medline searches and our own experience.

RESULTS

The thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development. Disruption of the hormonal balance may lead to serious and permanent defects of neurological functioning. Brominated flame retardants may interfere with thyroid synthesis, transport, receptor binding, and elimination. The clinical consequences have so far not been firmly established, but results from animal studies suggest that even subtle disturbances of thyroid homeostasis during pregnancy may have serious implications for the developing brain.

INTERPRETATION

Numerous scientific reports confirm the neurotoxic potential of these chemicals. The foetus and newborn are especially vulnerable.