Secondary analysis from the Seychelles child development study: The Child Behavior Checklist

Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), a known neurotoxin, is primarily fr om fish consumption. As part of a large study examining the association bet ween MeHg exposure and child development in a population with high fish con sumption we examined school-age behavior using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The CBCL Total T score was a primary endpoint and was re ported earlier to show no adverse association with prenatal or postnatal Me Hg exposure. In this study we analyzed the T scores of the CBCL subscales t o determine if more discrete aspects of measured behavior were associated w ith exposure. The Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) is a prospectiv e, double blind, longitudinal evaluation of over 700 children. The index of prenatal exposure was maternal hair total mercury (T-Hg) in a segment grow ing during gestation. Postnatal exposure was T-Hg in the child's hair taken at 66 months of age. The child's primary caregiver completed the CBCL duri ng the 66-month evaluation. No association between prenatal or postnatal Me Hg exposure and the CBCL subscales was found. In Seychellois children expos ed to MeHg from consumption of ocean fish we found no association between e ither prenatal or postnatal MeHg exposure and behavior as measured by the C BCL subscales. (C) 2000 Academic Press.