Prenatal exposure to perfluorinated chemicals and relationship with allergies and infectious diseases in infants.

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown effects of prenatal exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) on infants in the general environmental levels. Laboratory animal studies have shown that exposure to PFOS and PFOA is associated with immunotoxic effects.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between maternal PFOS and PFOA levels and infant allergies and infectious diseases during the first 18 months of life. Cord blood immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels were also evaluated.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of pregnant women from 2002 to 2005 in Sapporo, Japan. Maternal PFOS and PFOA levels were measured in relation to cord blood IgE concentrations (n=231) and infant allergies and infectious diseases (n=343). Characteristics of mothers and their infants were obtained from self-administered questionnaires and medical records. Development of infant allergies and infectious diseases was determined from self-administered questionnaires at 18 months of age. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in maternal serum and concentrations of IgE in umbilical cord serum at birth were measured.

RESULTS

Cord blood IgE levels decreased significantly with high maternal PFOA concentration among female infants. However, there were no significant associations among maternal PFOS and PFOA levels and food allergy, eczema, wheezing, or otitis media in the 18 month-old infants (adjusted for confounders).

CONCLUSIONS

Although cord blood IgE level decreased significantly with high maternal PFOA levels among female infants, no relationship was found between maternal PFOS and PFOA levels and infant allergies and infectious diseases at age in 18 months.