TY - JOUR
T1 - Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Behavioral Problems in 7-Year-Old Children
T2 - A Cohort Study
AU - Hjortebjerg, Dorrit
AU - Nybo Andersen, Anne-Marie
AU - Christensen, Jeppe Schultz
AU - Ketzel, Matthias
AU - Raaschou-nielsen, Ole
AU - Sunyer, Jordi
AU - Julvez, Jordi
AU - Forns, Joan
AU - Sørensen, Mette
N1 - Comment on “Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Behavioral Problems in 7-Year-Old Children: A Cohort Study.” DOI: https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510851
PY - 2016/2
Y1 - 2016/2
N2 - Background: Exposure to traffic noise has been associated with adverse effects on neuropsychological outcomes in children, but findings with regard to behavioral problems are inconsistent. Objective: We investigated whether residential road traffic noise exposure is associated with behavioral problems in 7-year-old children. Methods: We identified 46,940 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort with complete information on behavioral problems at 7 years of age and complete address history from conception to 7 years of age. Road traffic noise (Lden) was modeled at all present and historical addresses. Behavioral problems were assessed by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Associations between pregnancy and childhood exposure to noise and behavioral problems were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: A 10-dB increase in average time-weighted road traffic noise exposure from birth to 7 years of age was associated with a 7% increase (95% CI: 1.00, 1.14) in abnormal versus normal total difficulties scores; 5% (95% CI: 1.00, 1.10) and 9% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.18) increases in borderline and abnormal hyperactivity/inattention subscale scores, respectively; and 5% (95% CI: 0.98, 1.14) and 6% (95% CI: 0.99, 1.12) increases in abnormal conduct problem and peer relationship problem subscale scores, respectively. Exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy was not associated with child behavioral problems at 7 years of age. Conclusions: Residential road traffic noise in early childhood may be associated with behavioral problems, particularly hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.
AB - Background: Exposure to traffic noise has been associated with adverse effects on neuropsychological outcomes in children, but findings with regard to behavioral problems are inconsistent. Objective: We investigated whether residential road traffic noise exposure is associated with behavioral problems in 7-year-old children. Methods: We identified 46,940 children from the Danish National Birth Cohort with complete information on behavioral problems at 7 years of age and complete address history from conception to 7 years of age. Road traffic noise (Lden) was modeled at all present and historical addresses. Behavioral problems were assessed by the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Associations between pregnancy and childhood exposure to noise and behavioral problems were analyzed by multinomial or logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: A 10-dB increase in average time-weighted road traffic noise exposure from birth to 7 years of age was associated with a 7% increase (95% CI: 1.00, 1.14) in abnormal versus normal total difficulties scores; 5% (95% CI: 1.00, 1.10) and 9% (95% CI: 1.03, 1.18) increases in borderline and abnormal hyperactivity/inattention subscale scores, respectively; and 5% (95% CI: 0.98, 1.14) and 6% (95% CI: 0.99, 1.12) increases in abnormal conduct problem and peer relationship problem subscale scores, respectively. Exposure to road traffic noise during pregnancy was not associated with child behavioral problems at 7 years of age. Conclusions: Residential road traffic noise in early childhood may be associated with behavioral problems, particularly hyperactivity/inattention symptoms.
U2 - 10.1289/ehp.1409430
DO - 10.1289/ehp.1409430
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 26126294
SN - 0091-6765
VL - 124
SP - 228
EP - 234
JO - Environmental Health Perspectives
JF - Environmental Health Perspectives
IS - 2
ER -