Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure and Later Adulthood Cognitive Function in the St. Louis Baby Tooth–Later Life Health Study

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Prenatal lead exposure during the second trimester is associated with cognitive function in later adulthood, particularly among females. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Ruby Hickman; Joyce J.Y. Lin; Kaleigh McAlaine; T. Pushon; Brian P. Jackson; Felicitas B. Bidlack; Laura T. Germine; Scott M. Bartell; Joseph J. Mangano; Justin G. Farmer; Joel Schwartz; Carel C B Hoyng; Susan Korrick; Marc G. Weisskopf

doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000214616

February 18, 2026Neurology

Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure and Later Adulthood Cognitive Function in the St. Louis Baby Tooth–Later Life Health Study

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Key Points

To investigate the impact of prenatal and early postnatal lead exposure on cognitive function in later adulthood.
Analyzed data from the St. Louis Baby Tooth – Later Life Health Study.
Focused on lead exposure during pregnancy and early infancy.
Conducted coadjusted analyses to assess cognitive outcomes by exposure timing.
Statistical significance found for second trimester lead exposure among females.
Evidence suggests the second trimester is particularly relevant for cognitive function.

Implication

Findings show that early lead exposures affect cognitive function in adulthood, indicating critical developmental periods.

Abstract

We found suggestive evidence for associations between early lead exposures and later adulthood cognitive function, although these only reached statistical significance for second trimester lead exposure among females. A coadjusted analysis suggested the second trimester may be most relevant for later cognitive function.

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Cite This Study

Hickman et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69994a7f873532290d01ee0f https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000214616

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Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure and Later Adulthood Cognitive Function in the St. Louis Baby Tooth–Later Life Health Study

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure and Later Adulthood Cognitive Function in the St. Louis Baby Tooth–Later Life Health Study

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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