Exposure to insecticides is ubiquitous in the developing world, where women who perform farming activities throughout pregnancy are routinely exposed. Although several birth cohort studies in the U.S. have shown persistent neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal organophosphate (OP) insecticide exposure, the neurodevelopmental pathways and timing of exposure leading to adverse outcomes is not clear. Thus, regulatory agencies have been reluctant to change risk assessment standards or provide specific recommendations about exposures to pregnant women. The proposed longitudinal birth cohort study in Thailand will: 1) build capacity of Thai researchers to develop innovative and competitive studies of pesticide related neurotoxicity 2) measure metabolites of OP and pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides during each trimester of pregnancy, and 3) evaluate the impact of prenatal OP (and PYR as exploratory analysis) insecticide exposure on neurodevelopmental trajectories from birth to age 3. In collaboration with Chulalongkorn University (CU) in central Thailand and Chiang Mai University (CMU) in northern Thailand, 300 pregnant women will be recruited. Eight serial urine samples, 4 serial blood samples, and umbilical cord blood will be collected during pregnancy to document temporally-resolved insecticide exposure during each trimester. The Brazelton Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale will be administered to offspring at birth followed by tests of visual attention, regulation of emotion, memory and inhibitory control to determine how the ?cascade? of neurologic development ultimately affects overall cognitive function (e.g., Bayley-III). Capacity building activities include development of core analytic laboratory facilities at CMU and neurodevelopmental facilities at CU along with courses to promote grant writing and international scientific publications.

Public Health Relevance

/Relevance This longitudinal birth cohort study will inform risk assessment standards for pregnant women in Thailand and other countries. Building awareness of how insecticide exposure during specific windows of pregnancy affects the neurodevelopmental trajectories of children in developing countries is a specific need recognized by the World Health Organization.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES026082-04
Application #
9768202
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Gray, Kimberly A
Project Start
2016-09-30
Project End
2021-08-31
Budget Start
2019-09-01
Budget End
2020-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322