Abstract |
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent chemicals that might be associated with asthma and allergy, but the associations remain unclear. Therefore, this study examined whether pre- and postnatal PFAS exposure was associated with childhood asthma and allergy. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in early life may have a protective effect against asthma and allergy, and MMR vaccination is therefore taken into account when evaluating these associations. In a cohort of Faroese children whose mothers were recruited during pregnancy, serum concentrations of five PFASs - Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) - were measured at three timepoints (maternal serum in pregnancy week 34-36 and child serum at ages 5 and 13 years) and their association with immunoglobulin E ( IgE) (cord blood and at age 7 years) and asthma/allergic diseases (questionnaires at ages 5 and 13 years and skin prick test at age 13 years) was determined. A total of 559 children were included in the analyses. Interactions with MMR vaccination were evaluated. Among 22 MMR-unvaccinated children, higher levels of the five PFASs at age 5 years were associated with increased odds of asthma at ages 5 and 13. The associations were reversed among MMR-vaccinated children. Prenatal PFAS exposure was not associated with childhood asthma or allergic diseases regardless of MMR vaccination status. In conclusion, PFAS exposure at age 5 was associated with increased risk of asthma among a small subgroup of MMR-unvaccinated children but not among MMR-vaccinated children. While PFAS exposure may impact immune system functions, this study suggests that MMR vaccination might be a potential effect-modifier.
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Authors | Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann, Esben Budtz-Jørgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Christa Elyse Osuna, Maria Skaalum Petersen, Ulrike Steuerwald, Flemming Nielsen, Lars K Poulsen, Pál Weihe, Philippe Grandjean |
Journal | Journal of immunotoxicology
(J Immunotoxicol)
Vol. 14
Issue 1
Pg. 39-49
(12 2017)
ISSN: 1547-6901 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 28091126
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Fluorocarbons
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
- Immunoglobulin E
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Asthma
(immunology)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cohort Studies
- Denmark
- Environmental Exposure
(adverse effects)
- Female
- Fluorocarbons
(adverse effects)
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity
(immunology)
- Immunoglobulin E
(blood)
- Infant
- Male
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
(immunology)
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
(immunology)
- Skin Tests
- Vaccination
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