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The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development...
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The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Toxicology and Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 5870

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Wei Xia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: environmental exposure and pregnant women health; children health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental exposures in early life have a great influence on the growth and development of a fetus, birth outcomes and children’s growth, behavior and neural development. This not only includes nutritional deficiencies and excesses but also exposure to a variety of environmental pollutants. Prenatal exposures are especially concerning because of the rapid development and growth and increased sensitivity and vulnerability of the developing fetus. Early-life exposure to heavy metals, organic chemicals and pesticides can disrupt processes involved in cellular and organ development, resulting in a host of adverse health concerns. These mechanisms may involve the disruption of placental function, alterations in gene expression, oxidative stress, inflammation, immune regulation and epigenetic modifications, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental factors and biological pathways. Identification of the risk factors for impaired fetal growth, child development and the corresponding mechanisms will help to not only improve children's health but also to provide etiologic insight and informed prevention strategies for many adult diseases.

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest research findings and insights into the impact of environmental exposure on fetal growth, child development and the underlying mechanisms. This Special Issue will feature scientific advances across the research continuum.

Dr. Wei Xia
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fetal development
  • neurodevelopment
  • respiratory diseases
  • metabolic diseases
  • metals
  • environmental chemicals and pesticides
  • endocrine metabolism
  • oxidative stress
  • immune regulation
  • epigenetics

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1038 KiB  
Article
The Role of Prenatal Exposure to Lead and Manganese in Child Cognitive Neurodevelopment at 18 Months: The Results of the Italian PHIME Cohort
by Valentina Rosolen, Fabiano Barbiero, Marika Mariuz, Maria Parpinel, Luca Ronfani, Liza Vecchi Brumatti, Maura Bin, Luigi Castriotta, Francesca Valent, D’Anna Latesha Little, Janja Snoj Tratnik, Darja Mazej, Ingrid Falnoga, Milena Horvat and Fabio Barbone
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010054 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 555
Abstract
Prenatal lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exposure can impair neurodevelopment, targeting the central nervous system. This study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to Pb and Mn on neurodevelopment in children at 18 months of age, using data from 607 Italian mother–child pairs [...] Read more.
Prenatal lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exposure can impair neurodevelopment, targeting the central nervous system. This study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to Pb and Mn on neurodevelopment in children at 18 months of age, using data from 607 Italian mother–child pairs enrolled in the Northern Adriatic Cohort II (NAC-II). All children born at term (≥37 weeks) were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition. Cord blood concentrations of Mn and Pb were categorized as low or high exposures based on the 75th percentile of their distribution. Sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected via questionnaires. Using simple and multiple linear regressions, the study examined the relationship between the cognitive composite score (COGN) and Mn and Pb co-exposure, including their interaction. Stratified regressions explored how Mn exposure influenced the effect of Pb, in the whole cohort and by the child’s sex. Beta coefficients (β) and the 90% confidence interval (90% CI) were estimated. Boys showed an interaction effect between Mn and Pb, with a reduction in COGN (β = −5.78, 90% CI: −11.17; −0.40), further described as a negative effect of high Pb on cognition when Mn exposure was also high (β = −6.98, 90% CI: −10.93; −3.04). No clear effects were observed in girls or the entire cohort at these levels of exposure. The findings highlight the harmful impact of combined prenatal Pb and Mn exposure on cognitive development in boys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
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23 pages, 3699 KiB  
Article
Multigenerational Consequences of Prenatal Exposure to Benzophenone-3 Demonstrate Sex- and Region-Dependent Neurotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Mouse Brain
by Karolina Przepiórska-Drońska, Andrzej Łach, Bernadeta Angelika Pietrzak-Wawrzyńska, Joanna Rzemieniec, Małgorzata Kajta, Agnieszka Wawrzczak-Bargieła, Wiktor Bilecki, Karolina Noworyta and Agnieszka Wnuk
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120906 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 847
Abstract
Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), commonly used as a UV filter in personal care products and as a stabilizer, is an alleged endocrine disruptor with potential neurodevelopmental impacts. Despite its abundance in the environment, the studies on its effect on brain development are scarce, especially in [...] Read more.
Benzophenone-3 (BP-3), commonly used as a UV filter in personal care products and as a stabilizer, is an alleged endocrine disruptor with potential neurodevelopmental impacts. Despite its abundance in the environment, the studies on its effect on brain development are scarce, especially in terms of multigenerational impact. In this work, for the first time, we examined neurotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of BP-3 on mouse brain regions (cerebral cortex and hippocampus) in both the first (F1) and second (F2) generations after maternal exposure to environmentally relevant BP-3 levels. We found disregulated markers of cell damage (LDH, H2O2, caspase-3 and -8) and observed increased expression of pro-apoptotic Fas/FAS or Fasl/FASL. BP-3 exposure disrupted the BAX/BCL2 pathway, showing stronger effects in the F1 than in the F2 generation, with a dominance of extrinsic pathway (FAS, FASL, caspase-8) over intrinsic one (BAX, BCL2), suggesting that BP-3-induced apoptosis primarily operates via the extrinsic pathway and could impair brain homeostasis across generations. This study underscores the potential of BP-3 to increase multigenerational risks associated with disrupted neurodevelopment and highlights the importance of understanding its long-term neurotoxic effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
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12 pages, 309 KiB  
Article
Prenatal Perfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure in Association with Global Histone Post-Translational Methylation in 2-Year-Old Children
by Wan-Ju Tsai, Wu-Shiun Hsieh, Pau-Chung Chen and Chen-Yu Liu
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120876 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 809
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have elimination half-lives in years in humans and are persistent in the environment. PFASs can cross the placenta and impact fetal development. Exposure to PFASs may lead to adverse effects through epigenetic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether prenatal [...] Read more.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have elimination half-lives in years in humans and are persistent in the environment. PFASs can cross the placenta and impact fetal development. Exposure to PFASs may lead to adverse effects through epigenetic mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether prenatal exposure to perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA) was associated with global histone methylation level changes among the 130 2-year-old children followed-up in a birth cohort study in Taiwan. PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFUA were measured by UHPLC/MS/MS in cord blood. Global histone methylation levels were measured from the blood leukocytes of 2-year-old children by Western blotting. Multivariable regression analyses were applied to adjust for potential confounding effects. Among the 2-year-old children, an IQR increase in the natural log-transformed PFUA exposure was associated with an increased H3K4me3 level by 2.76-fold (95%CI = (0.79, 4.73), p = 0.007). PFOA and PFNA exposures was associated with a decreased H3K27me3 level by 2.35-fold (95%CI = (−4.29, −0.41), p = 0.01) and 2.01-fold (95%CI = (−4.00, −0.03), p = 0.04), respectively. Our findings suggest that prenatal PFAS exposure affected histone post-translational modifications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
16 pages, 805 KiB  
Article
Distinct Impacts of Prenatal and Postnatal Phthalate Exposure on Behavioral and Emotional Development in Children Aged 1.5 to 3 Years
by Yi-Siang Huang, Pi-Lien Hung, Liang-Jen Wang, Chih-Min Tsai, Chang-Ku Tsai, Mao-Meng Tiao and Hong-Ren Yu
Toxics 2024, 12(11), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110795 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1046
Abstract
Development is a continuous process, but few studies have assessed the simultaneous impact of prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure on children’s behavioral and emotional development. A total of 491 mother–child pairs from the general population in southern Taiwan were studied from 2021 to [...] Read more.
Development is a continuous process, but few studies have assessed the simultaneous impact of prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure on children’s behavioral and emotional development. A total of 491 mother–child pairs from the general population in southern Taiwan were studied from 2021 to 2022. Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate metabolites—mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP)—were measured in pregnant mothers during the second trimester and in their corresponding children aged 1.5 to 3 years. Behavioral symptoms in children were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Odds ratios (ORs) represent a 1-unit increase in log10-transformed creatinine-corrected maternal urine concentrations. Prenatal maternal urinary MnBP levels were associated with total problems (OR = 19.32, 95% CI: 1.80–43.13, p = 0.04), anxiety (OR = 33.58, 95% CI: 2.16–521.18, p = 0.01), and sleep problems (OR = 41.34, 95% CI: 1.04–1632.84, p = 0.04) in children. Additionally, urinary MnBP levels in children correlated with total problems (OR = 7.06, 95% CI: 1.01–49.05, p = 0.04) and internalizing problems (OR = 11.04, 95% CI: 1.27–95.72, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that prenatal and postnatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP), metabolized as MnBP, distinctly affects children’s behavioral development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
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11 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides and Telomere Length in Neonatal Cord Blood
by Ying Jiang, Ziyuan Xu, Meng Wang, Hongxiu Liu, Yuanyuan Li and Shunqing Xu
Toxics 2024, 12(11), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12110769 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 924
Abstract
Objectives: Environmental exposure may affect the telomere length (TL) of newborns, which is considered as an early biomarker indicating susceptibility for later life diseases. However, the effects of prenatal organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure on newborn TL remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
Objectives: Environmental exposure may affect the telomere length (TL) of newborns, which is considered as an early biomarker indicating susceptibility for later life diseases. However, the effects of prenatal organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure on newborn TL remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure levels of OCPs during pregnancy and TL in neonatal cord blood. Methods: A total of 168 mother–infant pairs from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China, were included this study. The concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, including β-HCH, α-HCH, and γ-HCH), p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p’-DDT) and its metabolites (p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, p,p’-DDD; p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, p,p’-DDE) were measured in cord blood. The associations between the OCPs and the TL in newborns were analyzed by a generalized linear regression model. Stratified analyses by newborn sex, maternal gestational weight gain, and pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were performed to evaluate if the associations were modified by these factors. Results: The detection rates of various OCPs ranged from 50.9% to 100.0%. The median concentration of p,p’-DDE was the highest (33.90 ng/g lipid), followed by β-HCH (8.67 ng/g lipid), and the median concentrations of the other OCPs were between 0.12 and 0.33 ng/g lipid. Among the all newborns, a two-fold increase in the γ-HCH concentration in the cord blood was significantly associated with a 0.024 (95% CI: −0.041, −0.007) decrease in the TL. After stratification by newborn sex, the inverse association between γ-HCH and the TL was only statistically significant in boys, but not in girls (P for interaction <0.05). In addition, after stratification by pre-pregnancy BMI, β-HCH and p,p’-DDT concentrations were significantly associated with a decreased TL in the overweight pre-pregnancy BMI group [−0.111 (95% CI: −0.203, −0.018) and −0.036 (95% CI: −0.049, −0.023), respectively]. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to OCPs during pregnancy was associated with a decreased neonatal telomere length, which may be affected by the newborn sex and pre-pregnancy BMI. These findings may provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying OCP-induced adverse health effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
12 pages, 715 KiB  
Article
Maternal Exposure to Ozone and the Risk of Birth Defects: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in Southwestern China
by Yi Li, Chunbei Zhou, Jun Liu, Deqiang Mao, Zihao Wang, Qunying Li, Yunyun Wu, Jie Zhang and Qi Zhang
Toxics 2024, 12(7), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070519 - 19 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1190
Abstract
A few studies have explored the relationship between air pollution exposure and the risk of birth defects; however, the ozone-related (O3) effects on preconception and first-trimester exposures are still unknown. In this time-stratified case-crossover study, conditional logistic regressions were applied to [...] Read more.
A few studies have explored the relationship between air pollution exposure and the risk of birth defects; however, the ozone-related (O3) effects on preconception and first-trimester exposures are still unknown. In this time-stratified case-crossover study, conditional logistic regressions were applied to explore the associations between O3 exposure and the risk of birth defects in Chongqing, China, and stratified analyses were constructed to evaluate the modifiable factors. A total of 6601 cases of birth defects were diagnosed, of which 56.16% were male. O3 exposure was associated with an increased risk of birth defects, and the most significant estimates were observed in the first month before pregnancy: a 10 ug/m3 increase of O3 was related to an elevation of 4.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.4–5.1%]. The associations between O3 exposure and congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system were statistically significant during almost all exposure periods. Pregnant women with lower education and income, and from rural areas, were more susceptible to O3 exposure, with the strongest odds ratios (ORs) of 1.066 (95%CI, 1.046–1.087), 1.086 (95%CI, 1.034–1.140), and 1.053 (95%CI, 1.034–1.072), respectively. Our findings highlight the health risks of air pollution exposure and raise awareness of pregnant women’s vulnerability and the susceptibility window period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Environmental Exposures on Fetal Growth, Children Development and the Corresponding Mechanisms)
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