Grantee Research Project Results
2005 Progress Report: Validation of Meconium Markers of Fetal Neurotoxicant Exposures
EPA Grant Number: R829389C002Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829389
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico
Center Director: Alshawabkeh, Akram
Title: Validation of Meconium Markers of Fetal Neurotoxicant Exposures
Investigators: Dietrich, Kim , Barr, Dana Boyd , Lanphear, Bruce , Bearer, Cynthia , Khoury, Jane , Hornung, Richard
Current Investigators: Bearer, Cynthia
Institution: University of Cincinnati , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Children Hospital of Cincinnati , Case Western Reserve University
Current Institution: Case Western Reserve University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 1, 2001 through October 31, 2006
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to test the validity of meconium levels as a biomarker of fetal exposure to numerous toxicants.
Progress Summary:
To date we have: (1) transferred successfully methodology for meconium analysis of ethanol metabolites to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); (2) shown dry weight to be the best denominator of comparison between meconium samples; (3) developed a gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry technique, with the CDC, for meconium analysis of ethanol metabolites that currently is being adapted to a gas chromatographic/positive ion chemical ionization method; (4) obtained Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals from university hospitals and the CDC to conduct this study; (5) amended the research protocol and consent forms to be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); (6) developed a protocol for meconium collection and shipment; and (7) obtained preliminary data on meconium versus other matrices for the content of persistent pollutants.
Significance
The validation of biomarkers of prenatal neurotoxin exposure will allow earlier recognition of contaminated environments, early identification of at-risk women, and early identification of at-risk infants. Use of validated biomarkers will facilitate future interventional trials.
Future Activities:
We plan to: (1) develop methodologies with the CDC for multiple neurotoxin analysis (most of this technology exists at the CDC for matrices other than meconium); (2) continue to collect and analyze biomarkers of exposure for the remaining 100 women in the Health Outcomes and Measurement of the Environment Study; and (3) prepare manuscripts pertaining to the relationship of pollutants in meconium versus other matrices in the first 200 mother-infant pairs.
Supplemental Keywords:
toxicology, ADHD behavioral assessment, behavioral deficit, genetic susceptibility, pesticides, biomarkers, environmental agents, exposure, exposure assessment, hearing loss, lead, meconium, neurotoxicity, pesticide exposure, risk assessment, toxicants,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Toxicology, Health Risk Assessment, Chemistry, Risk Assessments, Children's Health, Biology, Risk Assessment, pesticide exposure, behavioral assessment, lead, pesticides, neurotoxicity, children, fetus, toxicity, behavioral deficits, biological markers, exposure assessment, biomarkerRelevant Websites:
http://www.healthyhomestoday.com Exit
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/project/enviro Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R829389 Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829389C001 Neurobehavioral Effects of Prevalent Toxicants in Children
R829389C002 Validation of Meconium Markers of Fetal Neurotoxicant Exposures
R829389C003 Community-Based Research Project Identifying Residential Hazards Using Home Test Kits
R829389C004 Early Exposure to Lead and Adult Antisocial Outcome
R829389C005 Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Brain Function Altered by Lead Exposure
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.