Impact of organic mercury exposure and home delivery on neurodevelopment of Amazonian children

•Home birth is associated with decreased EtHg and increased MeHg exposures.•Neurodevelopment was not associated with birth (home vs hospital) environment.•Neurocognitive tests used were not sensitive to levels of MeHg and EtHg exposure. In the transitioning Amazon, we addressed birth environment (home vs hospital) and associated perinatal organic-Hg exposures: methylmercury (MeHg) from maternal fish consumption and ethylmercury (EtHg) from pediatric Thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs) taken systematically during hospital delivery. We studied 365 children in relation to linear growth at 60 months and neurodevelopment (milestone achievements, Bayley Scale of Infant Development/BSID at 24 months, and Stanford-Binet intelligence tests at 60 months). Mothers delivered in hospitals vs those gave birth at home had significantly (p