Cord blood lead and manganese and neonatal behavior

Sagiv SK, Nugent JK, Brazelton TB, Choi AL, Tolbert PE, Altshul LM, Korrick SA. (2008). Prenatal organochlorine exposure and measures of behavior in infancy using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Environ Health Perspect. 116(5):666-73. doi: 10.1289/ehp.10553.

788 mother-infant pairs infants born 1993-98 to mothers residing close to a PCB-contaminated harbor, New Bedford, MA for duration of pregnancy. They were longitudinally assessed in the newborn period on the NBAS infancy, at school age (8+ years), and in adolescence (15+ years). Results showed that cord blood lead and manganese was associated with attention items, including alertness; Associations with state and motor-related outcomes less consistent and imprecise; Manganese associated with better consolability. Suggestive associations for lead and manganese and NBAS clusters, specifically habituation and regulation of state. Low-level prenatal cord blood lead and manganese modestly related to infant behavior, particularly attention. Protective associations (i.e., with consolability) may be explained by beneficial effect of manganese (an essential nutrient. Identifying sensitive tests of neuropsychological function in early childhood could allow for earlier intervention. Targeting modifiable risk factors for adverse behavioral outcomes is a public health priority.