Association between early lead exposure and externalizing behaviors in adolescence: A developmental cascade

• Published in: Environmental Research
• Main Authors: Desrochers-Couture, Mireille, Courtemanche, Yohann, Forget-Dubois, Nadine, Bélanger, Richard E, Boucher, Olivier, Ayotte, Pierre, Cordier, Sylvaine, Jacobson, Joseph L, Jacobson, Sandra W, Muckle, Gina
• Other Authors: CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Université Laval Québec (ULaval), Université de Montréal (UdeM), Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Rennes (UR)-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique EHESP (EHESP)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Structure Fédérative de Recherche en Biologie et Santé de Rennes ( Biosit : Biologie - Santé - Innovation Technologique ), Wayne State University Detroit, NRF 130242, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Institutes of Health, R01-ES007902, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Northern Contaminants Program from Government Canada
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2019
• Subjects: Lead; Binge drinking; Children and adolescents; Externalizing behaviors; Cannabis use; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; inuit
• Online Access: https://univ-rennes.hal.science/hal-02280778; https://univ-rennes.hal.science/hal-02280778/document; https://univ-rennes.hal.science/hal-02280778/file/Desrochers-Couture%20et%20al-2019-Association%20between%20early%20lead%20exposure.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108679

International audience BACKGROUND:Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with adverse neurological development. Most notably, it has been observed through externalizing behavior symptoms, as observed among Inuit children from northern Québec. Evidence for a persistent neurological impact of early Pb exposure later in life is however scarce. Pb exposure may initiate a developmental cascade that increases the risk of long-term behavior problems.OBJECTIVES:Testing for direct associations between childhood Pb concentrations and adolescent externalizing symptoms and substance use, as well as indirect associations through childhood behavior assessments.METHODS:The study sample is a longitudinal cohort of Inuit children (n = 212) followed since birth. Blood Pb concentrations were measured during childhood (median age = 11.4 years) and adolescence (median age = 18.5 years). Externalizing/inattentive behavior were teacher-assessed through the Teacher Report Form and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale for children. At the adolescence follow-up, behavior problems were self-reported by filling Achenbach's Youth Self-Report, the Barkley Adult ADHD-IV Rating Scale, and the Diagnostics Interview Schedule for Children. Adolescent substance use was also self-assessed through the DEP-ADO. Direct and indirect associations of child Pb concentrations with adolescent outcomes were tested through mediation models.RESULTS:Child blood Pb concentrations were not directly associated with any adolescent outcomes. On the contrary, childhood Pb exposure was indirectly associated, through childhood externalizing behavior assessments, with adolescent externalizing behaviors, binge drinking, and cannabis use. These indirect associations held after controlling for adolescents' concurrent Pb blood concentrations.DISCUSSION:Our results highlight the indirect but lasting effects of child Pb exposure on adolescent behavior problems, and the importance of childhood externalizing behavior in this relationship. Adverse early-life environment ...