A recent study shows that bisphenyl A (BPA) exposure to a fetus early in development apparently causes more aggressive behavior at age 2, at least for girls.  BPA is a controversial compound, found in some medical tubing,  hard plastic water bottles, some baby feeding bottles, some dental fillings and sealers, food-can and packaging linings, and carbonless paper (the kind used for credit card receipts).

The study, by Simon Fraser University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, was published Oct. 6.  In it, 249 pregnant women gave blood at invervals which was sampled for BPA.  The children were evaluated at age 2 for behavior issues.

Results showed that BPA-exposed girls were more likely to exhibit aggression and ADD, while boys to a lesser degree exhibited anxiety and depression.

The children will be evaluated as they grow older to measure the continued effect of the intra-uterine exposure.

Source: http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/2944/1/