The Prospective Environmental Exposure in Pregnancy Study (PEEPs)

Atypical brain development has been consistently documented in childhood developmental disorders, including autism and ADHD. However, the developmental origins of these brain changes remain largely unknown. Several lines of evidence point to the perinatal period as potentially important since fetal development is a sensitive time window for brain growth and neurodevelopment. A number of studies have found significant negative associations between levels of phthalate metabolites in prenatal urine and child cognitive functions, behavioral outcomes, mental and psychomotor development, and neonatal and infant neurological status. In addition, a dose-response relationship between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes has been reported. However, these studies have relied on recalled exposure and did not investigate fetal brain development. We are investigating how early prenatal exposure to phthalates, acetaminophen and antidepressants affect pregnancy and delivery, as well as child development and health.