Skip to main content
PMC home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 2000 Jun;108(Suppl 3):451–455. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3451

Identifying critical windows of exposure for children's health.

S G Selevan 1, C A Kimmel 1, P Mendola 1
PMCID: PMC1637810  PMID: 10852844

Abstract

Several authors have considered the importance of exposure timing and how this affects the outcomes observed, but no one has systematically compiled preconceptional, prenatal, and postnatal developmental exposures and subsequent outcomes. Efforts were undertaken to examine the information available and to evaluate implications for risk assessment for several areas: a) respiratory and immune systems, b) reproductive system, c) nervous system, d) cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and general growth, and e) cancer. Major conclusions from a workshop on "Critical Windows of Exposure for Children's Health" included a) broad windows of sensitivity can be identified for many systems but detailed information is limited; b) cross-species comparisons of dose to target tissue and better data on the exposure-dose-outcome continuum are needed; c) increased interaction among scientific disciplines can further understanding by using laboratory animal results in designing epidemiological studies and human data to suggest specific laboratory studies on mechanisms and agent-target interactions; and d) thus far, only limited attention has been given to peripubertal/adolescent exposures, adult consequences of developmental exposures, and genome-environment interactions. More specific information on developmental windows will improve risk assessment by identifying the most sensitive window(s) for evaluation of dose-response relationships and exposure, evaluation of biological plausibility of research findings in humans, and comparison of data across species. In public health and risk management, information on critical windows may help identify especially susceptible subgroups for specific interventions.

Full text

PDF
451

Images in this article

452Figure 3
on p.452

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adams J., Barone S., Jr, LaMantia A., Philen R., Rice D. C., Spear L., Susser E. Workshop to identify critical windows of exposure for children's health: neurobehavioral work group summary. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):535–544. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3535. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Anderson L. M., Diwan B. A., Fear N. T., Roman E. Critical windows of exposure for children's health: cancer in human epidemiological studies and neoplasms in experimental animal models. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):573–594. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3573. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Barr M., Jr, DeSesso J. M., Lau C. S., Osmond C., Ozanne S. E., Sadler T. W., Simmons R. A., Sonawane B. R. Workshop to identify critical windows of exposure for children's health: cardiovascular and endocrine work group summary. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):569–571. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3569. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Daniels J. L., Olshan A. F., Savitz D. A. Pesticides and childhood cancers. Environ Health Perspect. 1997 Oct;105(10):1068–1077. doi: 10.1289/ehp.971051068. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Dietert R. R., Etzel R. A., Chen D., Halonen M., Holladay S. D., Jarabek A. M., Landreth K., Peden D. B., Pinkerton K., Smialowicz R. J. Workshop to identify critical windows of exposure for children's health: immune and respiratory systems work group summary. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):483–490. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3483. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Drews C. D., Murphy C. C., Yeargin-Allsopp M., Decouflé P. The relationship between idiopathic mental retardation and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Pediatrics. 1996 Apr;97(4):547–553. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. González-Cossío T., Peterson K. E., Sanín L. H., Fishbein E., Palazuelos E., Aro A., Hernández-Avila M., Hu H. Decrease in birth weight in relation to maternal bone-lead burden. Pediatrics. 1997 Nov;100(5):856–862. doi: 10.1542/peds.100.5.856. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Hoet J. J., Ozanne S., Reusens B. Influences of pre- and postnatal nutritional exposures on vascular/endocrine systems in animals. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):563–568. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3563. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Holladay S. D., Smialowicz R. J. Development of the murine and human immune system: differential effects of immunotoxicants depend on time of exposure. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):463–473. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3463. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Horta B. L., Victora C. G., Menezes A. M., Halpern R., Barros F. C. Low birthweight, preterm births and intrauterine growth retardation in relation to maternal smoking. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 1997 Apr;11(2):140–151. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3016.1997.d01-17.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Hu F. B., Persky V., Flay B. R., Zelli A., Cooksey J., Richardson J. Prevalence of asthma and wheezing in public schoolchildren: association with maternal smoking during pregnancy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1997 Jul;79(1):80–84. doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)63090-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Ji B. T., Shu X. O., Linet M. S., Zheng W., Wacholder S., Gao Y. T., Ying D. M., Jin F. Paternal cigarette smoking and the risk of childhood cancer among offspring of nonsmoking mothers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1997 Feb 5;89(3):238–244. doi: 10.1093/jnci/89.3.238. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Lemasters G. K., Perreault S. D., Hales B. F., Hatch M., Hirshfield A. N., Hughes C. L., Kimmel G. L., Lamb J. C., Pryor J. L., Rubin C. Workshop to identify critical windows of exposure for children's health: reproductive health in children and adolescents work group summary. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):505–509. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3505. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Miller M. T., Strömland K. Teratogen update: thalidomide: a review, with a focus on ocular findings and new potential uses. Teratology. 1999 Nov;60(5):306–321. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9926(199911)60:5<306::AID-TERA11>3.0.CO;2-Y. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Miller R. W. Special susceptibility of the child to certain radiation-induced cancers. Environ Health Perspect. 1995 Sep;103 (Suppl 6):41–44. doi: 10.1289/ehp.95103s641. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Narotsky M. G., Schmid J. E., Andrews J. E., Kavlock R. J. Effects of boric acid on axial skeletal development in rats. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1998 Winter;66(1-3):373–394. doi: 10.1007/BF02783149. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Needleman H. L., Schell A., Bellinger D., Leviton A., Allred E. N. The long-term effects of exposure to low doses of lead in childhood. An 11-year follow-up report. N Engl J Med. 1990 Jan 11;322(2):83–88. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199001113220203. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Olshan A. F., Anderson L., Roman E., Fear N., Wolff M., Whyatt R., Vu V., Diwan B. A., Potischman N. Workshop to identify critical windows of exposure for children's health: cancer work group summary. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):595–597. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3595. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Osmond C., Barker D. J. Fetal, infant, and childhood growth are predictors of coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension in adult men and women. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):545–553. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3545. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Osmond C., Barker D. J., Winter P. D., Fall C. H., Simmonds S. J. Early growth and death from cardiovascular disease in women. BMJ. 1993 Dec 11;307(6918):1519–1524. doi: 10.1136/bmj.307.6918.1519. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Peden D. B. Development of atopy and asthma: candidate environmental influences and important periods of exposure. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):475–482. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Pinkerton K. E., Joad J. P. The mammalian respiratory system and critical windows of exposure for children's health. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):457–462. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3457. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Pryor J. L., Hughes C., Foster W., Hales B. F., Robaire B. Critical windows of exposure for children's health: the reproductive system in animals and humans. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):491–503. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3491. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Rice D., Barone S., Jr Critical periods of vulnerability for the developing nervous system: evidence from humans and animal models. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):511–533. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3511. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Rodier P. M. Correlations between prenatally-induced alterations in CNS cell populations and postnatal function. Teratology. 1977 Oct;16(2):235–246. doi: 10.1002/tera.1420160220. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Sadler T. W. Susceptible periods during embryogenesis of the heart and endocrine glands. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 (Suppl 3):555–561. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3555. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Selevan S. G., Lemasters G. K. The dose-response fallacy in human reproductive studies of toxic exposures. J Occup Med. 1987 May;29(5):451–454. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Wadsworth M. E., Kuh D. J. Childhood influences on adult health: a review of recent work from the British 1946 national birth cohort study, the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 1997 Jan;11(1):2–20. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3016.1997.d01-7.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. van Duijn C. M., van Steensel-Moll H. A., Coebergh J. W., van Zanen G. E. Risk factors for childhood acute non-lymphocytic leukemia: an association with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy? Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 1994 Sep;3(6):457–460. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES