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Prenatal Exposure to Polybrominated Flame Retardants and Fetal Growth in the INMA Cohort (Spain)
Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa1,2, Olga Costa1, Esther Vizcaino3,4
1†FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Avenida de Catalunya 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure may negatively impact fetal development. This study found PBDEs were associated with reduced fetal growth and smaller newborn size, particularly in late pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants with potential endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants is a growing concern for fetal development and long-term health.
- Limited data exists on the specific impact of PBDEs on anthropometric measurements during late gestation and at birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to specific PBDE congeners and fetal growth parameters.
- To evaluate the relationship between PBDEs and newborn anthropometry in a Spanish cohort.
- To identify specific PBDE congeners and exposure matrices (maternal serum, cord serum) most strongly linked to adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 670 mothers (gestational week 12) and 534 umbilical cords were analyzed for PBDE congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -154, -209).
- Ultrasound measurements (AC, EFW, FL, BPD) were taken during gestation; birth measurements (BW, HC, BL) were recorded.
- Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations between PBDE levels and anthropometric outcomes, adjusted for constitutional factors.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant inverse associations were observed between sum PBDEs (ΣPBDEs) and abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW), biparietal diameter (BPD) in late gestation, and head circumference (HC) at birth.
- BDE-99 showed the clearest inverse associations with AC, EFW, BPD, birth weight (BW), and HC, with outcomes decreasing 1.3–3.5% per 2-fold increase.
- Associations varied by exposure matrix: maternal serum linked to BPD, HC, BW; cord serum linked to AC, EFW.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal PBDE exposure, particularly in late pregnancy, may negatively impact fetal growth.
- PBDEs are associated with reduced fetal anthropometry and smaller birth size, highlighting potential risks during critical developmental periods.
- Specific congeners like BDE-99 and exposure timing warrant further investigation regarding their role in developmental toxicity.
Abstract:
Our aim was to investigate the relation between PBDEs and fetal growth or newborn anthropometry in a Spanish cohort (2003-2008). PBDE congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -154, and -209) were determined in serum of 670 mothers at gestational week 12 and in 534 umbilical cord samples. Abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW), femur length (FL), and biparietal diameter (BPD) during gestation were measured by ultrasounds. At birth, weight (BW), head circumference (HC), and length (BL) were also measured. We assessed growth in the intervals between 12-20 and 20-34 weeks of gestation and size at birth by standard deviation (SD)-scores adjusted for constitutional characteristics. We conducted multivariate linear regression analyses between PBDE congeners and their sum (ΣPBDEs) and outcomes. We found statistically significant inverse associations between ΣPBDEs and AC, EFW, and BPD at weeks 20-34 and HC at birth. Regarding congeners, the association was clearer with BDE-99, with inverse associations being found with AC, EFW, and BPD at weeks 20-34, and with BW and HC at delivery. These outcomes decreased between 1.3% and 3.5% for each 2-fold PBDE increase. Concerning matrices, we found statistically significant inverse associations with BPD, HC, and BW when using maternal serum, and for AC and EFW with cord serum. In conclusion, PBDEs may impair fetal growth in late pregnancy and reduce birth size.
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