Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and child neurodevelopment

Background Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) have been widely used in Spain and early exposure has been suggested as a risk factor for neurodevelopment. We aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal OPs exposure on child neurodevelopment. Methods Study subjects were pregnant women/children pairs participating in a Spanish birth cohort study (2003-2010). OP metabolites were analysed in urine at week 32 of gestation. The analysis included the generic metabolites of diethyl phosphate (DEP) and dimethyl phosphate (DMP), and the specific metabolite of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY). Neurodevelopment was assessed at age 12 months and 5 years by using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID, N=530) and the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MSCA, N=440), respectively. The BSID includes the mental and the psychomotor scales and the MSCA consists of 5 scales (verbal, perceptive performance, numeric, memory, and motor) and a general cognitive index. Socio-demographic, dietary and environmental fact...