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Effect of trihalomethane exposure on fetal development
J M Wright1, J Schwartz, D W Dockery
1Environmental Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. wright.michael@epa.gov
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|February 25, 2003
Summary
Maternal exposure to total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) during pregnancy may negatively impact infant birth weight and increase the risk of small for gestational age births. Findings suggest a link between TTHM levels and fetal growth retardation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Perinatal Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Disinfection byproducts in drinking water, such as total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), are common.
- Potential health effects of TTHM exposure during pregnancy are a public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between trimester-specific and average pregnancy TTHM exposure and infant birth outcomes.
- To examine effects on birth weight, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, gestational age, and preterm delivery.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 56,513 singleton births in Massachusetts (1990).
- Maternal TTHM exposure estimated using city-specific aggregate data.
- Individual maternal data used for confounding variable adjustment.
Main Results:
- Increased average and second-trimester TTHM exposure linked to reduced birth weight and increased risk of small for gestational age infants.
- Pregnancy average TTHM >80 µg/l associated with a 32g birth weight reduction; second trimester >80 µg/l with a 23g reduction.
- Each 20 µg/l TTHM increase correlated with ~2.7g birth weight reduction; no significant association with preterm delivery.
Conclusions:
- Maternal TTHM exposure may be associated with fetal growth retardation.
- Findings align with prior research but suggest smaller effects on low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation.
