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IDENTIFYING CRITICAL WINDOWS OF EXPOSURE FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Citation:
Selevan, S G., C. A. Kimmel, AND P Mendola. IDENTIFYING CRITICAL WINDOWS OF EXPOSURE FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH. Presented at Teratology Meeting, Palm Beach, FL, June 24-29, 2000.
Description:
Several authors have considered the importance of exposure timing and how this affects the outcomes observed, but no one has systematically compiled preconceptional, prentatal, and postnatal developmental exposures and subsequent outcomes. Efforts were undertaken to examine the information available, and to evaluate implications for risk assessment for several areas: 1) respiratory and immune systems, 2) reproductive system, 3) nervous system, 4) cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and general growth, and 5) cancer. Major conclusions from a workshop on "Critical Windows of Exposure for Children's Health" (September 1999) included: 1) Broad windows of sensitivity can be identified for many systems, but detailed information is limited; 2) cross-species comparisons of dose to target tissue and better data on the exposure-dose-outcome continuum are needed; 3) increased interaction amond scientific disciplines can further understanding by using laboratory animal results in designing epidemiological studies and human data to suggest specific laboratory studies on mechansims and agent-target interactions; and 4) thus far, only limited attenttion has been given to a) peri-pubertal/adolescent exposures, b) adult consequences of developmental exposures, and c) genome-environment interactions. More specific information on developmental windows will improve risk assessment by identifying the "most sensitive window(s)" for evaluation of dose-response relationships, evaluation of biological plausibility of research findings in humans, and comparison of data acoss species. In public health and risk management, information on critical windows may help identify especially susceptible subgroups for specific interventions.