PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G G Fein

Publications and source records attributed to G G Fein.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of intrauterine PCB exposure on visual recognition memory.

Adverse neonatal outcomes have been associated with intrauterine exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In a follow-up study of exposed and nonexposed infants, 123 infants tested at birth were administered Fagan's test of visual recognition memory at 7 months. 2 measures of prenatal PCB exposure, cord serum PCB level and maternal report of contaminated fish consumption, both predicted less preference for a novel stimulus. Preference for novelty decreased in a dose-dependent fashion with increasing levels of prenatal PCB exposure. Postnatal exposure from nursing was not related to visual recognition memory. The relation between prenatal exposure and visual recognition was not mediated by the neonatal deficits, suggesting that intrauterine PCB exposure may have a delayed effect on central nervous system (CNS) functioning.

Adolescent↗

Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls: effects on birth size and gestational age.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), environmental pollutants that concentrate in the fatty tissue of predatory sports fish, cross the placenta in women exposed to ordinary dietary levels. Two hundred forty-two newborn infants whose mothers consumed moderate quantities of contaminated lake fish and 71 infants whose mothers did not each such fish were examined during the immediate postpartum period. PCB exposure, measured by both contaminated fish consumption and cord serum PCB levels, predicted lower birth weight and smaller head circumference. Exposed infants were 160 to 190 gm lighter than controls, and their heads were 0.6 to 0.7 cm smaller. Head circumference was disproportionately small in relation to both birth weight and gestational age. Control analyses showed that none of these effects was attributable to any of 37 potential confounding variables, including socioeconomic status, maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, and exposure to polybrominated biphenyls. These findings are consistent with earlier reports from studies in laboratory animals.

Animals↗

The transfer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) across the human placenta and into maternal milk.

Cord serum and maternal milk levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were examined in relation to maternal serum levels. Maternal serum levels were significantly higher than cord serum levels for both types of compounds. Placental passage was indicated by significant maternal to cord serum correlations for both PCBs (r = .42) and PBBs (r = .81). Correlations between maternal serum and milk levels were similar. Higher PBB correlations were probably due to greater reliability in the measurement of PBB levels in serum and milk.

Environmental Pollutants↗