PFOA and PFOS serum levels and miscarriage risk

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Reproductive Toxicology
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Background:

• Residents in the mid-Ohio River Valley experienced high exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via contaminated drinking water.
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are persistent environmental contaminants with potential health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum concentrations of PFOA and PFOS and the risk of miscarriage.
• To evaluate these associations in a population with documented high PFOA exposure.

Main Methods:

• Serum PFOA and PFOS levels were measured in 1129 women.
• Pregnancy outcomes (live births, stillbirths, miscarriages) were collected via follow-up interviews.
• Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze preconception serum levels in relation to miscarriage.

Main Results:

• Little evidence of association was found between PFOA levels and miscarriage.
• A limited association between PFOS and miscarriage was observed (OR=1.21 per log ng/ml increase), particularly in first pregnancies and nulligravid women.
• Categorical analyses showed elevated miscarriage odds for higher PFOS quintiles, though without a clear monotonic trend.

Conclusions:

• The study found little evidence linking PFOA exposure to miscarriage in this population.
• Limited evidence suggests a potential association between PFOS exposure and miscarriage risk.
• Further research may be needed to clarify the relationship between PFOS and pregnancy outcomes.