Can PFAS exposure during pregnancy affect your toddler's development?
Possibly. A 2025 study linked prenatal PFAS exposure to altered neurodevelopmental trajectories in the first two years of life.
What's actually in it
PFAS cross the placenta and reach the developing brain. The first two years of life are a critical window for brain growth, when neurons form connections at an astonishing rate. Any disruption during this period can have lasting effects on cognition, language, and motor skills.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Environ Int measured PFAS levels in pregnant women and then tracked their children's neurodevelopmental milestones through age two. The researchers looked at trajectories, not just single snapshots, to capture how development unfolded over time.
Higher prenatal PFAS exposure was linked to altered developmental trajectories in the first two years. Some children showed slower progress on cognitive and motor milestones. The effects varied by which specific PFAS compounds the mother was exposed to.
Reduce PFAS exposure before and during pregnancy by filtering water, avoiding nonstick cookware, and choosing PFAS-free food packaging.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopmental trajectories in the first two years of life. | Environ Int | 2025 |
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