Introduction: The study was designed to explore the possible adverse effects of prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the neurodevelopment of the infants at the age of 12 months in a birth cohort in Qingdao of China. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-DNA adduct level in umbilical cord blood was measured by enzyme immunoassay.
Methods: Child neurodevelopment was assessed at both 6 months and 12 months of age using the Gesell Development Inventory (GDI).
Results: This study results reveal that multivariate linear analysis, cord BaP-DNA adduct level was inversely associated with developmental quotient score in the adaptive domain [β = −0.08; 95% CI: (−0.16, −0.003); p  = 0.04], gross motor domain [β = −0.10; 95% CI: (−0.20, −0.01); p  = 0.02], fine motor domain [β = −0.15; 95% CI: (−0.25, −0.05); p  = 0.01], language domain [β = −0.12; 95% CI: (−0.21, −0.03); p  = 0.02], and personal–social domain [β = −0.13; 95% CI: (−0.22, −0.04); p <0.01]. Further, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed increased cord BaP-DNA adduct levels associated with increased odds of delayed in language domain.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the study suggested that prenatal PAH exposure monitored by umbilical cord blood BaP-DNA adducts may adversely affect the neurodevelopment of the infants at 12 months of age.
Keywords: neurodevelopment, PAH-DNA adducts, infant, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, China