Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Oct;60(10):e71191. doi: 10.1002/ppul.71191.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is widely used in daily life; however, research has shown its immune suppression effects. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PFOA and allergic diseases in children.
METHODS: A prospective birth cohort study involving 648 pregnant women was conducted. Prenatal information was collected through interviews with the women and from medical records. Umbilical cord blood was collected at birth, and concentration of PFOA was measured and genotype of IL-13 rs20541 was detected. Children were followed at 6, 12 and 24 months and information on the development of allergic diseases was recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between PFOA and allergic diseases. Stratified analysis was performed based on child sex and genotype of IL-13 rs20541.
RESULTS: In multivariate adjusted models, the highest PFOA quartile was associated with increased odds of atopic dermatitis (AD) (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.09-2.55), wheezing (OR: 4.06, 95% CI: 1.30-12.68), and allergic diseases (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.15-2.54). Among females, the highest PFOA quartile was associated with higher odds of AD (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.20-4.23) and allergic diseases (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.07-3.46). Although IL-13 rs20541 alone was not associated with allergic outcomes, children with the GG genotype of IL-13 rs20541 and the highest PFOA quartile have higher odds of AD (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.41-5.67), wheezing (OR: 15.16, 95% CI: 1.38-166.59), and allergic diseases (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.27-4.61).
CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to PFOA is associated with an increased risk of allergic diseases in early childhood, especially for the female children and those with the GG genotype of IL-13 rs20541.
PMID:41147248 | DOI:10.1002/ppul.71191
