title: Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Behavioral Problems in 7-Year-Old Children: A Cohort Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to traffic noise has been associated with adverse effects on neuropsychological outcomes in children, but findings with regard to behavioral problems are inconsistent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether residential road traffic noise exposure is associated with behavioral problems in 7-year-old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 46,940 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort with complete information on behavioral problems at 7 years of age and complete address history from conception to 7 years of age. Road traffic noise (Lden) was modeled at all present and historical addresses. Behavioral problems were assessed by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Associations between pregnancy and childhood exposure to noise and behavioral problems were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 10-dB increase in average time-weighted road traffic noise exposure from birth to 7 years of age was associated with a 7% increase (95% CI: 1.00, 1.14) in abnormal versus normal total difficulties scores; 5% (95% CI: 1.00, 1.10) and 9% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.18) increases in borderline and abnormal hyperactivity/inattention subscale scores, respectively; and 5% (95% CI: 0.98, 1.14) and 6% (95% CI: 0.99, 1.12) increases in abnormal conduct problem and peer relationship problem subscale scores, respectively. Exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy was not associated with child behavioral problems at 7 years of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residential road traffic noise in early childhood may be associated with behavioral problems, particularly hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Dorrit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hjortebjerg
authors.forename: Anne Marie Nybo
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Jeppe Schultz
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ketzel
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Raaschou-Nielsen
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Julvez
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forns
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*