Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
15:27
Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
Exposure to tap water during pregnancy
R Zender1, A M Bachand, J S Reif
1Department of Environmental Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Summary
This study highlights the need for precise exposure data in drinking water research. Accurate measurement of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and other factors is crucial for understanding adverse reproductive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water are linked to adverse reproductive outcomes.
- Previous studies often used imprecise exposure measures, leading to potential misclassification bias.
- Individual water consumption, exposure routes, and residential changes complicate accurate exposure assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize tap water exposure and other risk factors in pregnant and non-pregnant women.
- To assess the impact of individual consumption patterns and potential confounders on exposure.
- To inform future studies on adverse reproductive outcomes, particularly in low socio-economic status populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 71 pregnant and 43 non-pregnant women attending public health clinics.
- Detailed assessment of water consumption (tap, bottled, filtered) at home and work.
- Collection of data on showering/bathing habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, and residential history.
Main Results:
- Pregnant women consumed more total water and cold tap water at home than non-pregnant women.
- Significant differences in alcohol consumption were observed between groups.
- 32% of women moved during pregnancy, and 25% used filtered or bottled water.
Conclusions:
- Individual-level data on water consumption and confounders are essential to avoid misclassification bias in DBP exposure studies.
- This study provides crucial insights into exposure patterns among low socio-economic status women, a high-risk group for adverse reproductive outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
01:30Vitamins
Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
01:29Disorder of Water Balance
Water balance disorders are medical conditions that occur when there is a deviation from the body's water volume or osmolarity, disrupting normal homeostasis and leading todehydration, hypotonic hydration, hyperhydration, edema, or water intoxication.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms primarily include intense...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...