Maternal PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy May Increase Children’s Risk of Obesity

Authors: Yun Liu, Joseph Braun, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

Why was this study needed?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting chemicals that can be found in many household materials, as well as food and drinking water. Maternal PFAS exposure during pregnancy may be linked to increased weight and a higher risk of obesity among children and adolescents. However, existing studies looking at these associations have had inconsistent findings.

What were the study results?

The study found that higher levels of some PFAS were linked with slightly higher BMIs in children and an increased risk of obesity. This trend was seen across male and female children and wasn’t affected by the presence of other factors linked to childhood obesity.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was this study's impact?

Recently, there has been growing interest in understanding the effects of PFAS exposure on children’s health and establishing policies to address PFAS pollution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a Roadmap to address PFAS contamination. Studies like this one can help better understand the risks of PFAS to take effective actions to protect vulnerable populations.

Who was involved?

The researchers used data from 1,391 children between the ages of 2 and 5 years and their mothers who were enrolled in eight ECHO cohorts across United States from 1999 to 2019.

What happened during the study?

The researchers measured levels of seven different PFAS in maternal blood samples collected during pregnancy. The researchers also used data on children’s weight and height to calculate each child’s body mass index (BMI), an approximate measure of body fat.

What happens next?

Future studies are needed to examine potential links between maternal PFAS exposure during pregnancy and obesity-related health concerns in older children.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Associations of Gestational Perfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure with Early Childhood BMI Z-Scores and Risk of Overweight/Obesity: Results from the ECHO Cohorts,” in Environmental Health Perspectives.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published June 7, 2023

Access the associated article.

See ECHO's PFAS research.