Exposure to Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in U.S. Children Aged 12-15 Years

[Comment:  Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals are found in surfactants, paper and textile coatings, and food packaging... among other things.]

 

Exposure to Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in U.S. Children Aged 12-15 Years
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1001898#abstract0

Abstract

Introduction: Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) have been widely used in consumer products. Exposures in the U.S. and world populations are widespread. PFC exposures have been linked previously to various health impacts, and data in animals suggest that PFCs may be potential developmental neurotoxicants.

Objectives: We evaluated the associations between exposures to four PFCs and parental report of diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 for children aged 12-15 years. Parental report of a previous diagnosis by a doctor or healthcare professional of ADHD in the child was the primary outcome measure. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) levels were measured in serum samples from each child.

Results: Of the 586 children in the sample, 51 reported a diagnosis of ADHD. When PFOS was treated as a continuous predictor, a 1.03 fold increased odds was observed for each μg/L increase in serum PFOS after adjustment for confounding (95% CI 1.01-1.05). There were also significant dose response relationships between PFOA and PFHxS levels and ADHD (OR=1.12; 95% CI 1.01-1.23 and OR=1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.11 respectively). Similarly, children with higher PFNA levels were more likely to have ADHD (OR=1.32; 95% CI 0.86-2.02).

Conclusions: Our results, using cross-sectional data, are consistent with increased odds of ADHD in children with higher serum PFC levels. Given the extremely prevalent exposure to PFCs, follow-up of these data with cohort studies is needed.

Citation: Hoffman K, Webster TF, Weisskopf MG, Weinberg J, Vieira VM 2010. Exposure to Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in U.S. Children Aged 12-15 Years. Environ Health Perspect :-. doi:10.1289/ehp.1001898