Effects of perinatal polychlorinated biphenyls and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene on later development.
OBJECTIVE
Determining whether early developmental effects of perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (DDE) persist.


METHODS
Cohort followed from birth; ages now 5 1/2 to 10 1/2 years.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Volunteer sample of 859 children, of whom 712 had been examined with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities at 3, 4, or 5 years; 506 sent report cards.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Neither transplacental nor breast-feeding exposure to PCBs or DDE affected McCarthy scores at 3, 4, or 5 years. There was no statistically significant relationship between poorer grades and PCB or DDE exposure by either route.


CONCLUSIONS
The deficits seen in these children on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development through 2 years of age are no longer apparent.
Gladen
B C
BC
Statistics and Biomathematics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.
Rogan
W J
WJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003632:Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D003632:Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane