REVIEW PAPER
The association between prenatal pyrethroids exposure and children's health – current research
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1
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards)
2
Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
(Faculty of Public Health)
3
Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
(Faculty of Dietetics)
4
University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
(School of Medicine)
5
Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
(II Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics)
6
Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
(Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital)
Online publication date: 2024-09-10
Corresponding author
Agnieszka Jankowska
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards, św. Teresy 8,
91-348 Łódź, Poland
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ABSTRACT
Exposure to pyrethroids, a widely used agricultural, forestry, and household insecticide, is a major public health concern due to its potential health
effects on children. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the effects of prenatal exposure to pyrethroids on the course
and outcome of pregnancy, health status, and neurobehavioural development of children. A systematic and comprehensive search of the PubMed,
Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted during January–February 2024. The review included original articles published in peerreviewed
English-language journals since 2015. Based on keywords, 198 studies were identified and screened for eligibility. Ultimately, the review
analyzed 25 articles including 16 that assessed the effects of prenatal exposure to pyrethroids on children’s neurobehavioural development, 3 studies
that assessed the effects on the course and outcome of pregnancy, and further 3 focused on respiratory disease. In addition, 1 study analyzed
the development of obesity and 2 studies examined the effects on children’s growth, weight and body composition in early childhood. In conclusion,
there is considerable uncertainty about the adverse effects of prenatal exposure to pyrethroids on children’s health. The strongest evidence has
been reported for neurobehavioural development although results are also inconsistent. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms
of action and health effects of pyrethroids in susceptible populations. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(4)