Work

Effects of children exposed to pyrethroid pesticides on their neurodevelopment at age two: A cohort study in rural Western China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explored the association between infants' daily exposure to PYRs and their neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2. Based on Yunnan cohort study, the children were followed up from age 1 until age 2. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), the levels of PYRs in urine were measured. Neurodevelopmental assessments were conducted using the Bayley Infant and Toddler Development Scale-3rd edition (Bayley-III) at both ages. At age 1, the detection rates of 3PBA, 4FPBA, DBCA were 87.54 %, 88.20 % and 38.36 %, respectively. At age 2, the detection rates were up to 93.77 %, 91.48 % and 72.46 %, respectively. The average scores of cognition, language, motor, social-emotional and adaptive behavior were 97.25 ± 15.57, 92.18 ± 13.97, 94.25 ± 14.91, 102.38 ± 18.39 and 88.24 ± 14.49 at age 1, respectively, and 95.99 ± 16.61, 93.70 ± 14.58, 95.51 ± 17.92, 104.30 ± 21.63 and 87.23 ± 12.12 at age 2, respectively. Compared with those with low levels of DBCA, 2-year-old children with high levels had higher risk of a decline in language development (OR = 2.259, 95 % CI = 1.185, 4.306), and in adaptive behavior development (OR = 2.032, 95 % CI = 1.090, 3.789). 2-year-old children with high levels of 3PBA had higher risk of a decline in motor development than those with low levels (OR = 1.900, 95 % CI = 1.001, 3.605). Rural children are widely exposed to PYRs daily. At age 2, children who are exposed to high levels of deltamethrin pesticides with DBCA as specific metabolites (DBCA ≥ 2.872 μg/g) may experience negative impacts on their language and adaptive behavior development. Additionally, children who are exposed to high levels of PYRs (3PBA ≥ 2.525 μg/g) may experience negative impacts on their motor development.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118982