Journal Article

Developmental PBDE Exposure and IQ/ADHD in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Davidson, Lisette, Sen, Saunak, Lanphear, Bruce P., Bellinger, David, Lam, Juleen, McPartland, Jennifer, Sutton, Patrice, Daniels, Natalyn, Axelrad, Daniel A., Woodruff, Tracey J.

2017

Overview

In the United States, one in six children are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in flame-retardant chemicals are measured ubiquitously in children. We conducted a systematic a systematic review regarding developmental exposure to PBDEs and intelligence or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and attention-related behavioral conditions in humans. We searched articles published up to 26 September 2016, and included original studies that quantified exposures to PBDEs incurred any time in proximity to conception or during , perinatal, or childhood time periods. We evaluated the risk of bias of individual studies and the overall quality and strength of the evidence according to the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology. We established criteria in advance to identify studies that could be combined using random effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian-Laird method). Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria; 10 studies met the criteria for intelligence and nine for attention-related problems. We rated studies generally with \"low\" to \"probably low\" risk of bias and rated the overall body of evidence as \"moderate\" quality with \"sufficient\" evidence for an association between Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and PBDEs. Our meta-analysis of four studies estimated a 10-fold increase (in other words, times 10) in PBDE exposure associated with a decrement of 3.70 IQ points (95% confidence interval: 0.83, 6.56). We concluded the body of evidence was of \"moderate\" quality for ADHD with \"limited\" evidence for an association with PBDEs, based on the heterogeneity of association estimates reported by a small number of studies and the fact that chance, bias, and confounding could not be ruled out with reasonable confidence. We concluded there was sufficient evidence supporting an association between developmental PBDE exposure and reduced IQ. Preventing developmental exposure to PBDEs could help prevent loss of human intelligence. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1632.

• Publisher: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,Environmental Health Perspectives
• Subject: Attention - drug effects / Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - chemically induced / Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / Bias / Chemicals / Child / Child Development - drug effects / Child development deviations / Child, Preschool / Childhood / Children / Composition / Confidence intervals / Criteria / Developmental disabilities / Developmental neurology / Environmental Exposure / Environmental health / Environmental Pollutants - toxicity / Environmental toxicology / Ethers / Exposure / Female / Fireproofing agents / Flame retardants / Flame Retardants - toxicity / Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - toxicity / Health aspects / Heterogeneity / Humans / Hyperactivity / Infant / Infant, Newborn / Intelligence / Intelligence - drug effects / Maternal Exposure / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Meta-analysis / Neurodevelopmental disorders / Polybrominated biphenyls / Polybrominated diphenyl ethers / Pregnancy / Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced / Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - epidemiology / Review / Risk factors / Systematic review / Textiles