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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Your Environment. Your Health.

Publication Detail

Title: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and indicators of immune function in children aged 12-19 y: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Authors: Stein, Cheryl R; McGovern, Kathleen J; Pajak, Ashley M; Maglione, Paul J; Wolff, Mary S

Published In Pediatr Res, (2016 Feb)

Abstract: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are immunotoxic in laboratory studies. Human studies of immune effects are inconsistent. Using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined PFAS serum concentration and indicators of prevalent immune function among 12-19-y-old children.In this cross-sectional study, we examined PFAS serum concentration in relation to measles, mumps, and rubella antibody concentrations in NHANES 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 (n = 1,191) and to allergic conditions and allergic sensitization in NHANES 2005-2006 (n = 640).In adjusted, survey-weighted models, a doubling of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentration among seropositive children was associated with a 13.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): -19.9, -6.2) decrease in rubella antibody concentration and a 5.9% decrease in mumps antibody concentration (95% CI: -9.9, -1.6). We observed no adverse association between exposure and current allergic conditions, including asthma. Children with higher PFOS concentration were less likely to be sensitized to any allergen (odds ratio (OR): 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.95).Increased exposure to several PFAS was associated with lower levels to mumps and rubella antibody concentrations, especially among seropositive individuals. These lower antibody concentrations may indicate a less robust response to vaccination or greater waning of vaccine-derived immunity over time.

PubMed ID: 26492286 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Adolescent; Alkanesulfonic Acids/adverse effects*; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood; Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Biomarkers/blood; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fluorocarbons/adverse effects*; Fluorocarbons/blood; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects*; Immunosuppressive Agents/blood; Linear Models; Logistic Models; Male; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine/administration & dosage; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine/immunology*; Nutrition Surveys; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/blood; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology*; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/prevention & control; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Serologic Tests; Time Factors; United States/epidemiology; Vaccination*; Young Adult

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