Alexis J. Handal|Betsy Lozoff|Jaime Breilh|Sio?án D. Harlow
Effect of Community of Residence on Neurobehavioral Development in Infants and Young Children in a Flower-Growing Region of Ecuador
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
study compared neurobehavioral development ecuadoran children living two communities high potential exposure organophosphate op carbamate pesticides children living community low potential exposurewomen residing study communities child 361 months age completed questionnaire maternal child health sociodemographic characteristics ages stages questionnaire asq administered child n 283 growth measurements hemoglobin fingerprick blood test obtained used multiple linear regressions evaluate associations community residence delayed development adjusting child health status characteristics home environmentchildren 323 months age resided highexposure communities scored lower gross motor p 0002 fine motor p 006 socioindividual pvalue 002 skills compared children lowexposure community effect residence highexposure community gross motor skill development greater stunted children compared nonstunted children p 0001 age group 323 months children 2461 months age residing highexposure communities scored significantly lower gross motor skills compared children similar ages residing lowexposure community p 006residence communities high potential exposure op carbamate pesticides associated poorer neurobehavioral development child even controlling major determinants delayed development malnourished populations may particularly vulnerable neurobehavioral effects pesticide exposure