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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Published on: March 6, 2018

Maternal exposure to polybrominated and polychlorinated biphenyls: infant birth weight and gestational age

Marjory L Givens1, Chanley M Small, Metrecia L Terrell

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Chemosphere
|July 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Maternal exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) showed no significant impact on infant gestational age or birth weight. However, high PBB levels suggested a potential negative association with birth weight.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Maternal exposures during pregnancy can significantly impact infant health outcomes, including gestational age and birth weight.
  • Pre-term birth and low birth weight are associated with increased infant mortality and morbidity.
  • Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are environmental contaminants with potential health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal exposure to PBB and PCB and infant gestational age and birth weight.
  • To analyze data from a cohort exposed to PBB and PCB due to environmental contamination.
  • To assess potential risks to infant development from in utero exposure to these compounds.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort analysis of 444 mothers and 899 infants born between 1975 and 1997.
  • Measurement of maternal serum PBB and PCB levels at conception or enrollment.
  • Statistical analysis using restricted maximum likelihood estimation, adjusting for covariates like maternal age, smoking, parity, infant gender, and decade of birth.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between maternal PBB or PCB levels and infant gestational age or birth weight in adjusted or unadjusted models.
  • A potential negative association between high enrollment maternal serum PBB levels and infant birth weight was suggested, but not statistically significant.
  • No significant differences in birth weight or gestational age were observed in offspring of mothers with the highest (10%) PBB or PCB exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal exposure to PBB and PCB in this cohort did not demonstrate a significant association with adverse infant gestational age or birth weight outcomes.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the potential relationship between in utero exposure to brominated compounds and adverse health outcomes, given their increasing environmental prevalence.
  • The study highlights the need for continued monitoring and research on the long-term health effects of environmental contaminants on vulnerable populations.

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