Exposure to Hexachlorobenzene during Pregnancy and Children’s Social Behavior at 4 Years of Age

2007

Impact of Hexachlorobenzene Exposure During Pregnancy on Children's Behavior

Sample size: 475 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Núria Ribas-Fitó, Maties Torrent, Daniel Carrizo, Jordi Júlvez, Joan O. Grimalt, Jordi Sunyer

Primary Institution: Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Institut Municipal Investigació Mèdica (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain

Hypothesis

Is prenatal exposure to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) associated with social behavior in preschool children?

Conclusion

Prenatal exposure to hexachlorobenzene is linked to poorer social competence and increased ADHD symptoms in preschool-aged children.

Supporting Evidence

Children with HCB levels > 1.5 ng/mL had a 4-fold increase in poor social competence scores.
Children with HCB levels > 1.5 ng/mL had a 2.7-fold increase in ADHD symptoms.
The study included 475 children from two cohorts in Spain.
Behavioral assessments were conducted by teachers using standardized scales.
HCB exposure was measured in cord serum at birth.

Takeaway

If a mom has too much hexachlorobenzene in her body while pregnant, her baby might have trouble making friends and paying attention when they grow up.

Methodology

The study involved two birth cohorts in Spain, measuring HCB levels in cord serum and assessing children's social behavior through teacher evaluations.