Background: Triclosan may decrease circulating thyroxine levels or interfere with thyroid hormone signaling to adversely affect neurodevelopment. However, we are unaware of studies examining associations between triclosan exposure and childhood behavior problems. Methods: We used data from mother-child pairs enrolled in a Cincinnati, OH pregnancy and birth cohort study between 2003-2006 (The HOME Study). In 202 mother-child pairs, we quantified urinary triclosan concentrations in up to 3 maternal samples collected between 2nd trimester of the pregnancy and delivery, and in up to 6 child samples between ages 1 and 8 years. Caregivers rated their children's behavior at age 8 years using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2. We used a two-stage model to estimate changes in behavior problem scores with a 10-fold increase in mean gestational or childhood triclosan concentrations, accounting for triclosan exposure measurement error. Results: Gestational triclosan was positively associated with externalizing problem scores and some related clinical subscales; these associations were stronger in boys than girls (triclosan x sex interaction p-values < 0.2). Specifically, each 10-fold increase in gestational triclosan was associated with higher externalizing (3: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.1-8.9), attention (3: 6.4; 95% CI: 2.2-11), and hyperactivity (3: 6.4; 95% CI: 2.2-11) scores in boys. We observed a similar pattern of associations of childhood triclosan with externalizing and related clinical subscales, but these associations were substantially attenuated after we adjusted for gestational triclosan. In contrast, associations between gestational triclosan and behavior problems were slightly attenuated. In general, triclosan concentrations were not associated with internalizing problems. Conclusion: In this cohort, gestational urinary triclosan concentrations were associated with more externalizing, inattention, and hyperactivity behaviors at age 8 years in boys, but not girls.
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