Evaluación de las alteraciones en el desempeño cognitivo de niños Mexicanos expuestos a plaguicidas organofosforados

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OPs) compounds are the most commonly used pesticides in México. These agrochemicals are neurotoxic and have been associated with neurobehavioral deficits; however, few studies carried out in Mexico have assessed the correlation between urinary concentrations of dialkylphosphate metabolites and cognitive performance in children. The objective of this study was to evaluate cognitive alterations in children exposed to OPs from an agricultural locality in México. Urine and blood samples of 105 children (5-14 yrs of age) were collected during a period of high pesticide application; urinary levels of dialkylphosphate metabolites (DAPs) were measured to evaluate exposure to OPs and lead concentrations in blood were determined as a confusing factor. The mothers of the children were interviewed on aspects of lifestyle and other variables of interest. The cognitive performance of the children was assessed by neuropsychologists, using the Wechsler scale of intelligence for children-IV. OPs exposure was associated with low cognitive performance. The children of the quintile with the highest concentration of DAPs, presented an IQ deficit of 12 points, compared with children of the quintile with the lowest concentration of these (> 312.1 nmol/l vs. ≤ 150.9 nmol/L). Of the subscales evaluated, the working memory index presented the lowest scores (mean: 88.2). The results suggest that children of agricultural localities exposed to OPs have a higher risk of presenting cognitive alterations.