Association between humidifier disinfectant exposure during infancy and subsequent neuropsychiatric outcomes during childhood: a nation-wide cross-sectional study

• Published in: BMC pediatrics 2021-08, Vol.21 (1), p.1-340, Article 340
• Main Authors: Kim, Ju Hee, Park, Sihyeong, Ha, Eun Kyo, Yon, Dong Keon, Lee, Seung Won, Koh, Hyun Yong, Han, Man Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggressiveness; Babies; Behavior; Birth weight; Chemicals; Child development; Child psychopathology; Childhood; Children & youth; Cross-sectional studies; Developmental problem; Disease; Disinfection and disinfectants; Environmental aspects; Family income; Health aspects; Humidifier disinfectant; Humidifiers; Hyperactivity; Mental depression; Motor ability; Neuropsychiatric outcomes; Newborn babies; Parents & parenting; Pediatric research; Pediatrics; Pollutants; Post traumatic stress disorder; Preschool children; Psychological aspects; Quantitative psychology; Questionnaires; Respiratory system; Risk factors; Sleep
• ISSN: 1471-2431; 1471-2431
• DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02825-7

Background The purpose was to determine the association between infant exposure to humidifier disinfectant (HD) with neuropsychiatric problems in pre-school children. Methods A total of 2,150 children (age 4-11 months) were enrolled in the Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) study. The Korean version of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used for assessments of neuropsychiatric problems. 1,113 children who participated in all the first to third PSKC studies and answered a question about HD exposure were finally enrolled. Results There were 717 (64.5%) children in non-HD group who were not exposed to HD and 396 (35.5%) in HD group with former exposure to HD. Exposure to HD was associated with total neuropsychiatric problems (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.15-2.06), being emotionally reactive (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.00-2.39), having attention problems (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.10-3.47), having oppositional defiant problems (aOR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.07-2.71), and having attention deficit/hyperactivity problems (aOR = 11.57, 95% CI = 1.03-2.38). The risks for neuropsychiatric problems were clearly increased in boy, firstborn, and secondary smoker. Conclusions Exposure to HD during early childhood had a potential association with subsequent behavioral abnormalities. Keywords: Humidifier disinfectant, Neuropsychiatric outcomes, Developmental problem, Behavior