Communication Delays Evident at 12 Months, Worsened Progressively by 24 Months
A team of American researchers has investigated the impact of prenatal exposure to glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, on early childhood neurodevelopment in a Puerto Rican birth cohort. By analyzing urine samples from 143 mother-child pairs, the researchers found that higher levels of a glyphosate degradant, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), during pregnancy were associated with delayed neurodevelopment in children at 12 and 24 months, particularly in the communication domain. At 24 months, multiple developmental domains, including adaptive, personal-social, communication, and cognitive, showed negative associations with AMPA concentrations. This research highlights the need for further investigation into the neurodevelopmental impacts of gestational glyphosate exposure, considering its widespread use and potential adverse effects on child development, especially in regions like Puerto Rico, where exposure levels may be elevated.
