# Prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and associations with common childhood infections and allergies: A study of risks and resiliencies in the ECHO Program

> **NIH NIH R36** · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $46,704

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are detected in virtually all people in the U.S. and the evidence of
health effects at increasingly low levels of PFAS, is growing. Despite being used in manufacturing since the
1940s, there was little awareness or research on the health effects of PFAS until the last 15 years. A 2016
National Toxicology Program (NTP) systematic review concluded that PFOA and PFOS is a presumed immune
hazard to humans. In particular, decreased antibody response has been identified as a critical endpoint for
international, national, and state toxicity values and drinking water regulations. Despite the regulatory
importance, research on the health consequences resulting from reduced immune function is not definitive.
Common childhood infections and immune hypersensitivity outcomes such as allergies, are useful measures
for evaluating altered immune function in humans, and notably, no U.S. based cohort study has evaluated
these outcomes. Combing pediatric birth cohorts with available prenatal PFAS serum concentrations from
across the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes cohort, we will evaluate associations with
childhood infections (bronchiolitis, croup, pneumonia and bronchitis, ear infections) and allergies (allergy
symptoms, and atopic dermatitis) at infancy and early childhood. PFAS will be evaluated individually in
adjusted linear and logistic regression models and as mixtures using Bayesian Kernal Regression Models
(BKMR). Potential effect modification by breastfeeding, child sex, child BMI, and sociodemographic factors will
be evaluated to understand differential impacts due to cumulative exposures. Dietary and sociodemographic
determinants of PFAS will be assessed with correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression across the
ECHO-wide study and for each cohort to provide guidance on further reduction of PFAS exposure in U.S.
pregnant women. Positive and null findings from well conducted studies alike, will be important for
understanding safe levels of exposure and guiding future regulations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10977496
- **Project number:** 1R36OD037668-01
- **Recipient organization:** DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JESSIE GLEASON
- **Activity code:** R36 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $46,704
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-03 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10977496

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10977496, Prenatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and associations with common childhood infections and allergies: A study of risks and resiliencies in the ECHO Program (1R36OD037668-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10977496. Licensed CC0.

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