Impact of prenatal pyrethroid pesticide exposure on neonatal lymphocyte subsets and apoptosis: a birth cohort study.
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- 2School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- 4Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
- 5Yunnan Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Kunming, China.
- 6Haiyuan College, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Abstract
Background
Prenatal pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) exposure may elevate infection diseases susceptibility of children. However, it is unclear the relationship of PYRs exposure and neonatal immune function. We explored the association of PYRs exposure during three trimesters with neonatal immunity and the roles of lymphocyte apoptosis.Methods
Maternal urinary PYRs metabolites (3PBA, 4F3PBA, cis-DBCA) were measured in each trimester. Cord blood lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometry. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations of trimester-specific and repeated PYRs exposure during pregnancy with neonatal immune function.Results
High-level cis-DBCA exposure (>75th percentile, 0.78 μg/g) in the third trimester was negatively associated with cord blood CD3⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.06; 95% CI = -0.12, -0.01) and CD8⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.09; 95% CI = -0.16, -0.01). Repeated high-level cis-DBCA exposure across two or more trimesters was associated with reduced CD3⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.09; 95% CI = -0.16, -0.02), CD4⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.22, -0.04), CD8⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.22, -0.04), B cell counts (β = -0.10; 95% CI = -0.20, -0.01), and NK cell counts (β = -0.14; 95% CI = -0.25, -0.03). High-level 3PBA exposure in the first trimester (β = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.22) and high-level cis-DBCA exposure in the second trimester (β = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.04, 0.28) were positively associated with cord blood lymphocyte apoptosis rates. Repeated high-level cis-DBCA exposure in two or more trimesters was associated with increased cord blood lymphocyte apoptosis rates (β = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.35).Conclusions
High-level maternal PYRs exposure during pregnancy may reduce neonatal lymphocyte counts and increase lymphocyte apoptosis. These effects persist throughout gestation, with the third trimester may represent a sensitive window for adverse effects on immune development.
Related
- Factors associated with protective behaviors against pesticide exposure: a study of rice farmers in Northern Iran
- Pesticide use practices and occupational pesticide exposure among cotton farmers in Northern Cameroon: A One Health-informed analysis
- An endocannabinoid-nitric oxide signaling switch triggers reciprocal inhibitory-excitatory plasticity at dopamine neuron inputs following prenatal cannabinoid exposure
- Automated pup-level analysis reveals distinct effects of prenatal CBD and THC exposure on maternal retrieval
- Pesticide Exposure and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Among West Java Applicators
BibTeX
@article{qi2026impact,
title = {{Impact of prenatal pyrethroid pesticide exposure on neonatal lymphocyte subsets and apoptosis: a birth cohort study.}},
author = {Zhiye Qi and Lili Zhang and Xia Xiao and Kun Wu and Shuqi Chen and Xiaoxiao Song and Yan Li},
journal = {Journal of global health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7189/jogh.16.04318},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895269},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of prenatal pyrethroid pesticide exposure on neonatal lymphocyte subsets and apoptosis: a birth cohort study.
AU - Zhiye Qi
AU - Lili Zhang
AU - Xia Xiao
AU - Kun Wu
AU - Shuqi Chen
AU - Xiaoxiao Song
AU - Yan Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Journal of global health
DO - 10.7189/jogh.16.04318
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895269
AB - Background Prenatal pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) exposure may elevate infection diseases susceptibility of children. However, it is unclear the relationship of PYRs exposure and neonatal immune function. We explored the association of PYRs exposure during three trimesters with neonatal immunity and the roles of lymphocyte apoptosis.Methods Maternal urinary PYRs metabolites (3PBA, 4F3PBA, cis-DBCA) were measured in each trimester. Cord blood lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometry. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the associations of trimester-specific and repeated PYRs exposure during pregnancy with neonatal immune function.Results High-level cis-DBCA exposure (>75th percentile, 0.78 μg/g) in the third trimester was negatively associated with cord blood CD3⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.06; 95% CI = -0.12, -0.01) and CD8⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.09; 95% CI = -0.16, -0.01). Repeated high-level cis-DBCA exposure across two or more trimesters was associated with reduced CD3⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.09; 95% CI = -0.16, -0.02), CD4⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.22, -0.04), CD8⁺ T cell counts (β = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.22, -0.04), B cell counts (β = -0.10; 95% CI = -0.20, -0.01), and NK cell counts (β = -0.14; 95% CI = -0.25, -0.03). High-level 3PBA exposure in the first trimester (β = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.22) and high-level cis-DBCA exposure in the second trimester (β = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.04, 0.28) were positively associated with cord blood lymphocyte apoptosis rates. Repeated high-level cis-DBCA exposure in two or more trimesters was associated with increased cord blood lymphocyte apoptosis rates (β = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.35).Conclusions High-level maternal PYRs exposure during pregnancy may reduce neonatal lymphocyte counts and increase lymphocyte apoptosis. These effects persist throughout gestation, with the third trimester may represent a sensitive window for adverse effects on immune development.
SN - 2047-2978
SN - 2047-2986
ER -