Background Fetal exposure to PCBs may result in adverse effects on child development. The pesticides DDT and chlordane share structural similarities with PCBs and are may be associated with similar outcomes. Potential effects of organochlorine compounds (OCs) on neurobehavioral effects during pre-adolescence have received little attention in the scientific literature. Aims We used adolescent self-report data from the Child Health and Development Studies prospective birth cohort to examine the association between prenatal exposure to OCs and behavioral disinhibition in adolescence. Methods Our data derive from a study of prenatal OCs, thyroid hormone levels and neurocognitive outcomes at ages 5, 9-11 and 15-17. We selected a sample of 600 offspring (300 boys and 300 girls). Serum OCs were measured in samples collected in the immediate post-partum period. PCBs were grouped according to degree of chlorination and by the method of Wolff et al. (1997). Behavioral disinhibition was assessed by a scale derived from a count of six child-report items at the age 15-18 interview. Regression models for count outcomes assessed the associations between each exposure and outcome, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Increases in prenatal OC exposure were not associated with increased scores on the scale of behavioral disinhibition. However, there was evidence for effect measure modification by child sex of the relationship between OC exposure and behavioral disinhibition. Scale score increased with exposure in males, and decreased with exposure in females. Conclusions Although increased prenatal PCB exposure is largely unassociated with increased levels of adolescent behavioral disinhibition, the exposure-outcome relationship is likely more complex than hypothesized. Evidence for effect measure modification of the relationship observed suggests that further investigation is required to fully elucidate the associations between PCB exposure and adolescent mental health.
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