Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants and Plasticizers (OPEs), Gene-Environment Interaction, and Child Neurodevelopment

The study proposes a novel investigation into how genetic variation modifies sensitivity to prenatal OPE exposure in the context of child neurodevelopment. It will utilize data from two cohorts: the NIH Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort and the Kaiser Permanente PETALS cohort. Aim 1 involves a genome-wide by environment interaction study (GWEIS) of maternal and child genetics, urinary OPE exposure during pregnancy, and child neurodevelopment. Aim 2 will use polygenic scores (PGS) for autism and ADHD to examine how they modify the relationship between OPEs and child outcomes. Aim 3 will replicate and expand findings from the ECHO cohort in the PETALS cohort.