Dataset Information

International studies of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fetal growth.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitously distributed human mutagens and carcinogens. However, lack of adequate air monitoring data has limited understanding of the effects of airborne PAHs on fetal growth. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined the association between prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs and birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference, respectively, in Krakow, Poland, and New York City (NYC).

Methods

The parallel prospective cohort studies enrolled nonsmoking, healthy, and nonoccupationally exposed women and their newborns. Personal air monitoring of pregnant women was conducted over 48 hr. To control for maternal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, we excluded those with umbilical cord plasma cotinine concentrations > 25 ng/mL. Mean cord plasma cotinine concentrations in both ethnic groups were ResultsPrenatal PAH exposure was 10-fold higher in Krakow than in NYC. Prenatal PAH exposure was associated with significantly reduced birth weight in both Krakow Caucasians (p < 0.01) and in NYC African Americans (p < 0.01), controlling for known and potential confounders, but not in NYC Dominicans. Within the lower exposure range common to the two cities (1.80-36.47 ng/m3), the effect per unit PAH exposure on birth weight was 6-fold greater for NYC African Americans than for Krakow Caucasians (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

These results confirm the adverse reproductive effect of relatively low PAH concentrations in two populations and suggest increased susceptibility of NYC African Americans. Fetal growth impairment has been linked to child developmental and health problems. Thus, substantial health benefits would result from global reduction of PAH emissions.

SUBMITTER: Choi H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1665416 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

International studies of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fetal growth.

Choi Hyunok H Jedrychowski Wieslaw W Spengler John J Camann David E DE Whyatt Robin M RM Rauh Virginia V Tsai Wei-Yann WY Perera Frederica P FP

Environmental health perspectives 20061101 11

<h4>Objectives</h4>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitously distributed human mutagens and carcinogens. However, lack of adequate air monitoring data has limited understanding of the effects of airborne PAHs on fetal growth. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined the association between prenatal exposure to airborne PAHs and birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference, respectively, in Krakow, Poland, and New York City (NYC).<h4>Methods</h4>The parallel prospe ...[more]

PMID: 17107862

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Project description:BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous chemicals with mechanisms of toxicity that include endocrine disruption. We examined associations of prenatal urinary PAH with spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) and gestational age (GA) at birth. We also assessed whether infant sex modifies the association of PAH exposure with spontaneous PTB and GA at birth.MethodsParticipants included 1,677 non-smoking women from three cohorts (CANDLE, TIDES, and GAPPS) in the ECHO PATHWAYS Consortium. Twelve monohydroxylated-PAHs were measured in second trimester maternal urine. Seven metabolites with >60% overall detection were included in analyses: 1-hydroxynaphthalene [1-OH-NAP], 2-hydroxynaphthalene [2-OH-NAP], 2-hydroxyphenanthrene [2-OH-PHEN], 3-hydroxyphenanthrene [3-OH-PHEN], 1/9-hydroxyphenanthrene [1/9-OH-PHEN], 2/3/9-hydroxyfluorene [2/3/9-OH-FLUO], and 1-hydroxypyrene [1-OH-PYR]. Logistic and linear regression models were fit for spontaneous PTB and GA among births ≥34 weeks, respectively, with log10-transformed OH-PAH concentrations as the exposure, adjusted for specific gravity and suspected confounders. Effect modification by infant sex was assessed using interaction terms and marginal estimates.ResultsPercent detection was highest for 2-OH-NAP (99.8%) and lowest for 1-OH-PYR (65.2%). Prevalence of spontaneous PTB was 5.5% (N = 92). Ten-fold higher 2-OH-NAP exposure was associated with 1.60-day (95% CI: -2.92, -0.28) earlier GA at birth. Remaining associations in the pooled population were null. Among females, we observed significant inverse associations between 1-OH-PYR and PTB (OR: 2.65 [95% CI: 1.39, 5.05]); and 2-OH-NAP with GA: -2.46 days [95% CI: -4.15, -0.77]). Among males, we observed an inverse association between 2/3/9-OH-FLUO and PTB (OR = 0.40 [95% CI: 0.17,0.98]). ORs for PTB were higher among females than males for 2-OH-PHEN (p = 0.02) and 1-OH-PYR (p = 0.02).DiscussionWe observed inverse associations of 2-OH-NAP exposure with GA and null associations of remaining OH-PAHs with GA and PTB. Females may be more susceptible to spontaneous PTB or shorter GA following prenatal exposure to some OH-PAHs. This study is the first to assess sex-specific OH-PAH toxicity in relation to spontaneous PTB and GA.

Project description:BackgroundEpidemiological evidence for gestational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure and adverse child cognitive outcomes is mixed; little is known about critical windows of exposure.ObjectiveWe investigated associations between prenatal PAH exposure and child cognition in a large, multi-site study.MethodsWe included mother-child dyads from two pooled prospective pregnancy cohorts (CANDLE and TIDES, N = 1,223) in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium. Seven urinary mono-hydroxylated PAH metabolites were measured in mid-pregnancy in both cohorts as well as early and late pregnancy in TIDES. Child intelligence quotient (IQ) was assessed between ages 4-6. Associations between individual PAH metabolites and IQ were estimated with multivariable linear regression. Interaction terms were used to examine effect modification by child sex and maternal obesity. We explored associations of PAH metabolite mixtures with IQ using weighted quantile sum regression. In TIDES, we averaged PAH metabolites over three periods of pregnancy and by pregnancy period to investigate associations between PAH metabolites and IQ.ResultsIn the combined sample, PAH metabolites were not associated with IQ after full adjustment, nor did we observe associations with PAH mixtures. Tests of effect modification were null except for the association between 2-hydroxynaphthalene and IQ, which was negative in males (βmales = -0.67 [95%CI:-1.47,0.13]) and positive in females (βfemales = 0.31 [95%CI:-0.52,1.13])(pinteraction = 0.04). In analyses across pregnancy (TIDES-only), inverse associations with IQ were observed for 2-hydroxyphenanthrene averaged across pregnancy (β = -1.28 [95%CI:-2.53,-0.03]) and in early pregnancy (β = -1.14 [95%CI:-2.00,-0.28]).SignificanceIn this multi-cohort analysis, we observed limited evidence of adverse associations of early pregnancy PAHs with child IQ. Analyses in the pooled cohorts were null. However, results also indicated that utilizing more than one exposure measures across pregnancy could improve the ability to detect associations by identifying sensitive windows and improving the reliability of exposure measurement. More research with multiple timepoints of PAH assessment is warranted.

Project description:ImportancePolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are carcinogenic and neurotoxic combustion by-products commonly found in urban air. Exposure to PAH is disproportionately high in low income communities of color who also experience chronic economic stress.ObjectiveIn a prospective cohort study in New York City (NYC) we previously found a significant association between prenatal PAH exposure and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) behavior problems at age 9. Here, we have evaluated the joint effects of prenatal exposure to PAH and prenatal/childhood material hardship on ADHD behavior problems.Materials and methodsWe enrolled nonsmoking African-American and Dominican pregnant women in New York City between 1998 and 2006 and followed their children through 9 years of age. As a biomarker of prenatal PAH exposure, PAH-DNA adducts were measured in maternal blood at delivery and were dichotomized at the limit of detection (to indicate high vs. low exposure). Maternal material hardship (lack of adequate food, housing, utilities, and clothing) was self-reported prenatally and at multiple time points through child age 9. Latent variable analysis identified four distinct patterns of hardship. ADHD behavior problems were assessed using the Conners Parent Rating Scale- Revised. Analyses adjusted for relevant covariates.ResultsAmong 351 children in our sample, across all hardship groups, children with high prenatal PAH exposure (high adducts) generally had more symptoms of ADHD (higher scores) compared to those with low PAH exposure. The greatest difference was seen among the children with hardship persisting from pregnancy through childhood. Although the interactions between high PAH exposure and hardship experienced at either period ("persistent" hardship or "any" hardship) were not significant, we observed significant differences in the number of ADHD symptoms between children with high prenatal PAH exposure and either persistent hardship or any hardship compared to the others. These differences were most significant for combined high PAH and persistent hardship: ADHD Index (p < 0.008), DSM-IV Inattentive (p = 0.006), DSM-IV Hyperactive Impulsive problems (p = 0.033), and DSM-IV Index Total (p = 0.009).ConclusionThe present findings add to existing evidence that co-exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage and air pollution in early life significantly increases the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. They suggest the need for multifaceted interventions to protect pregnant mothers and their children.

Dataset Information

International studies of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fetal growth.

Objectives

Methods

Conclusions

Publications

International studies of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fetal growth.

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