PFAS in Pregnancy Linked to Lower Cognitive Scores in Kids
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/7/2026
Boys whose mothers had higher levels of certain PFAS chemicals during pregnancy scored lower on cognitive tests at age 2.5 years.
202 Mother-Child Pairs Tested
Researchers measured 23 different PFAS in the blood of pregnant women from the Wuxi Birth Cohort in China (2019 to 2021). When their children turned 2.5, the kids took standardized intelligence tests, according to a 2026 study in Environ Res.
Higher maternal levels of PFBA (a short-chain PFAS) were linked to significantly lower verbal comprehension scores in boys. The effect was measurable: a 2.13-point drop per unit increase in PFBA.
Short-Chain PFAS Aren't Safer
The industry has been replacing older long-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS with short-chain versions, claiming they're safer. This study found short-chain PFAS like PFBA directly linked to cognitive harm. The researchers also looked at whether disrupted thyroid hormones in the mother could explain the connection.
The effects were sex-specific: boys were more affected than girls. That lines up with other research showing male brains may be more vulnerable to chemical exposures during development.
What You Can Do
Filter your drinking water with a system rated for PFAS. Avoid nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and greaseproof food packaging. And explore non-toxic baby products to protect your child from the start.
Also see glass food storage for safer alternatives.