Prenatal PCB Exposure and Respiratory Infections in Inuit Children
Author Information
Author(s): Dallaire Frédéric, Dewailly Éric, Vézina Carole, Muckle Gina, Weber Jean-Philippe, Bruneau Suzanne, Ayotte Pierre
Primary Institution: Public Health Research Unit, Laval University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Is prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) associated with the incidence of acute respiratory infections in preschool Inuit children?
Conclusion
Prenatal exposure to PCBs could be responsible for a significant portion of respiratory infections in children of this population.
Supporting Evidence
- Children in the fourth quartile of PCB exposure had rate ratios of 1.25 for AOM and 1.40 for LRTIs compared to the least exposed.
- The study included a review of medical charts for 343 children aged 0 to 5 years.
- Previous studies have shown higher rates of respiratory infections in Inuit populations compared to Caucasian populations.
- Prenatal exposure to PCBs was positively associated with incidence rates of acute otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections.
Takeaway
Kids whose moms were exposed to certain chemicals before they were born got sick more often with respiratory infections.
Methodology
The study reviewed medical charts of 343 children and evaluated associations between PCB-153 concentration in umbilical cord plasma and incidence rates of respiratory infections.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the traditional lifestyle of Inuit families affecting medical attention seeking behavior.
Limitations
The study could not gather information for postnatal factors for most children, which may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Participants were Inuit children from Nunavik, aged 0 to 5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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