Effects of perinatal polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene on later development.

OBJECTIVE

Determining whether early developmental effects of perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) persist.

DESIGN

Cohort followed from birth; ages now 5 1/2 to 10 1/2 years.

SETTING

General community.

PARTICIPANTS

Volunteer sample of 859 children, of whom 712 had been examined with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at 3, 4, or 5 years; 506 sent report cards.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Neither transplacental nor breast-feeding exposure to PCBs or DDE affected McCarthy scores at 3, 4, or 5 years. There was no statistically significant relationship between poorer grades and PCB or DDE exposure by either route.

CONCLUSIONS

The deficits seen in these children on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development through 2 years of age are no longer apparent.